Sunday Evening Bible Study

November 26, 2000

1Timothy 4

:1  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;

expressly – rhetos – expressly, in express words

latter – husteros – latter, later, coming after, the second; afterward, after this, later, lastly

Paul may not be specifically talking about the end times, he may simply be talking about times later than his current time.

times – kairos – due measure; a measure of time, a larger or smaller portion of time, hence:; a fixed and definite time, the time when things are brought to crisis, the decisive epoch waited for

depart – aphistemi – to make stand off, cause to withdraw, to remove; to stand off, to stand aloof; to go away, to depart from anyone; to fall away, become faithless

giving heed – prosecho – to bring to, bring near; to bring a ship to land, and simply to touch at, put in; to turn the mind to, attend to be attentive; to attend to one’s self, i.e. to give heed to one’s self; to apply one’s self to, attach one’s self to, hold or cleave to a person or a thing

seducing – planos – wandering, roving; misleading, leading into error; a vagabond, "tramp", imposter; corrupter, deceiver

doctrines – didaskalia – teaching, instruction

devils – daimonion – the divine power, deity, divinity; a spirit, a being inferior to God, superior to men; evil spirits or the messengers and ministers of the devil

Or, teachings that originate from demonic powers.

:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

hypocrisy – hupokrisis – an answering; an answer; the acting of a stage player; dissimulation, hypocrisy

speaking lies – pseudologos – speaking (teaching) falsely, speaking lies

seared with a hot iron – kauteriazo – to mark by branding, to brand, branded with their own consciences; whose souls are branded with the marks of sin; who carry about with them the perpetual consciousness of sin; seared; in a medical sense, to cauterise, remover by cautery

conscience – suneidesis – the consciousness of anything; the soul as distinguishing between what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter, commending one, condemning the other; the conscience

False teachers who will not only be teaching false doctrine, but they’ll know it and will knowingly teach false doctrine.  They’ll do this because their conscience is no longer tender.

:3 Forbidding to marry

forbidding – koluo – to hinder, prevent forbid; to withhold a thing from anyone; to deny or refuse one a thing

to marry – gameo – to lead in marriage, take to wife; to get married, to marry; to give one’s self in marriage; to give a daughter in marriage

There is nothing wrong with getting married.

:3  commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

abstain – apechomai – to hold one’s self off, refrain, abstain

meats – broma – that which is eaten, food

received – metalepsis – a taking, participation

thanksgiving – eucharistia – thankfulness; the giving of thanks

Some of the false teaching will be about foods, what you eat.

:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

creature – ktisma – thing founded; created thing

good – kalos – beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable

to be refused – apobletos – thrown away, to be thrown away, rejected, despised, abominated; as unclean

:5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

sanctified – hagiazo – to render or acknowledge, or to be venerable or hallow; to separate from profane things and dedicate to God; to purify

prayer – enteuxis – a falling in with, meeting with; an interview; a coming together; a petition, supplication

Food is sanctified through God’s Word

Jesus taught that all foods were clean.

(Mark 7:18-19 NIV)  "Are you so dull?" he asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'? {19} For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods "clean.")

It’s not what goes into your body that makes you unclean before God, it’s the things that come out of you (like lusts) that make you unclean.

Food is sanctified through prayer

That’s one reason why we pray before we eat.

Illustration

A mom had invited some people to dinner. At the table, she turned to  her six-year-old daughter and said, “Would you like to say the blessing?”  I wouldn’t know what to say,” she replied. “Just say what you hear  Mommy say,” the mom said.  The daughter bowed her head and said:  “Dear Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?

What to pray if everyone has already started eating:

“We thank you tonight, Lord, in the words of the Psalmist: ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.’”

The Apostolic Constitutions [7.49], give this ancient grace, almost wholly consisting of Scripture,

“Blessed art thou, O Lord, who feedest me from my youth, who givest food to all flesh: Fill our hearts with joy and gladness, that we, having all sufficiency, may abound unto every good work in Christ Jesus our Lord, through whom glory, honour, and might, be to thee for ever. Amen.”

: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.

put … in remembrance – hupotithemi – to place under; metaph. to supply, suggest (supply from one’s own resources)

It’s good to remind people from time to time …

Illustration

Two elderly couples were enjoying friendly conversation when one of the men  asked the other, “Fred, how was the memory clinic you went to last month?”  “Outstanding,” Fred replied. “They taught us all the latest psychological  techniques, like visualization, association, and so on. It was great. I  haven’t had a problem since.”  “Sounds like something I could use. What was the name of the clinic?”  Fred went blank. He thought and thought, but couldn’t remember.  Then a smile broke across his face and he asked, “What do you call that  flower with the long stem and thorns?”  “You mean a rose?”  “Yes, that’s it!”  He turned to his wife, “Hey Rose, what was the name of that memory clinic?”

good – kalos – beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable

minister – diakonos – one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, attendant, minister

nourished – entrepho – to nourish in: a person or a thing; metaph. to educate, form the mind

Is this a play on words with the abstaining from certain foods.  Our nourishment comes from the Word of God.

good – kalos – beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable

doctrine – didaskalia – teaching, instruction

thou hast attained – parakoloutheo – to follow after; so to follow one as to be always at his side; to follow up a thing in mind so as to attain to the knowledge of it; to understand, (cf our follow a matter up, trace its course); to examine thoroughly, investigate; to follow faithfully i.e a standard or rule, to conform one’s self to

:7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

profane – bebelos – accessible, lawful to be trodden; profane; unhallowed, common, public place

old wives’ – graodes – old womanish, old wives, an old woman

fables – muthos – a speech, word, saying; a narrative, story; a true narrative; a fiction, a fable; an invention, a falsehood

refuse – paraiteomai – to ask along side; to avert by entreaty or seek to avert, to deprecate; to refuse, decline; to shun, avoid; to avert displeasure by entreaty; to beg pardon, crave indulgence, to excuse; of one excusing himself for not accepting a wedding invitation to a feast

exercise – gumnazo – to exercise naked (in a palaestra or school of athletics); to exercise vigorously, in any way, either the body or the mind

godliness – eusebeia – reverence, respect; piety towards God, godliness

:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little:

bodily – somatikos – corporeal, bodily; having a bodily form or nature; pertaining to the body

exercise – gumnasia – the exercise of the body in a palaestra or school of athletics; any exercise whatever; the exercise of conscientiousness relative to the body such as is characteristic of ascetics and consists in abstinence from matrimony and certain kinds of food

little – oligos – little, small, few; of degree or intensity: light, slight

profiteth – ophelimos – profitable

Some would take this verse to mean that we shouldn’t be concerned at all with physical exercise.  Not so.  Paul is simply putting it in its place.  It’s not worthless, it has a “little” value.

:8  but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

godliness – eusebeia – reverence, respect; piety towards God, godliness

promise – epaggelia – announcement; promise; the act of promising, a promise given or to be given; a promised good or blessing

to come – mello – to be about; to be on the point of doing or suffering something; to intend, have in mind, think to

Lesson

Pump it up spiritually!

What are things that we can do to exercise our spiritual muscles?  Prayer, reading the Bible, worship, fellowship, witnessing.

These things are a benefit to you in your life NOW as well as in the life TO COME.

:9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

saying – logos – word

acceptation – apodoche – reception, admission, acceptance, approbation

We saw this use of “faithful saying” before.  This is one of Paul’s ways of letting Timothy know that this is something that ought to be “highlighted” in the letter.

What is the “faithful saying”?

“godliness is profitable unto all things”

:10 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.

labour – kopiao – to grow weary, tired, exhausted (with toil or burdens or grief); to labour with wearisome effort, to toil; of bodily labour

suffer reproach – oneidizo – to reproach, upbraid, revile; of deserved reproach; of undeserved reproach, to revile; to upbraid, cast (favours received) in one’s teeth

trust – elpizo – to hope; in a religious sense, to wait for salvation with joy and full confidence; hopefully to trust in

specially – malista – especially, chiefly, most of all, above all

Jesus is the Savior of all because He died for the sins of the world.

He is “specially” the Savior of those of us who believe because we have taken advantage of God’s free gift of salvation by receiving the gift through faith, through believing in Jesus.

:11 These things command and teach.

command – paraggello – to transmit a message along from one to another, to declare, announce; to command, order, charge

:12 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.

youth – neotes – youth, youthful age

despise – kataphroneo – to contemn, despise, disdain, think little or nothing of

example – tupos – the mark of a stroke or blow, print; a figure formed by a blow or impression; of a figure or image; an example; in the technical sense, the pattern in conformity to which a thing must be made; an example to be imitated

word – logos – word

conversation – anastrophe – manner of life, conduct, behaviour, deportment

charity – agape – brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence

purity – hagneia – purity, sinlessness of life

Lesson

No excuses, set the example

We can feel at times that we have reasons why we shouldn’t be used by the Lord.  Sometimes it’s like Timothy, that we think that we’re too young or not mature enough in the Lord.

Don’t hide behind excuses.  Go out and set the example.

There may be others who are older or more mature than you.  Don’t let that stop you from being an example.

:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

give attendance to – prosecho – to bring to, bring near; to bring a ship to land, and simply to touch at, put in; to turn the mind to, attend to be attentive; to attend to one’s self, i.e. to give heed to one’s self

reading – anagnosis – knowing; a knowing again, owning; reading.  NAS has “public reading”, the idea of the public reading of Scripture.

exhortation – paraklesis – a calling near, summons, (esp. for help); importation, supplication, entreaty; exhortation, admonition, encouragement; consolation, comfort, solace; that which affords comfort or refreshment

This is taking the ideas in Scripture and encouraging people to go out and do them.  It’s moving people to action.

doctrine – didaskalia – teaching, instruction; that which is taught, doctrine

I think this involves the explanation of the Scriptures, getting the people connected to what the meaning of Scripture is.

I see these three things as a vital part of my own ministry.  We read the Scripture, try to draw out the understanding of the Scripture, and then I try to encourage you to action to follow the principles in the Scripture.

:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

neglect – ameleo (“not” + “care about”) – to be careless of, to neglect

the gift – charisma – a favour with which one receives without any merit of his own; the gift of divine grace; a “working of grace”; a spiritual gift.

by prophecy – propheteia – (better, “through prophecy”) – prophecy; a discourse emanating from divine inspiration and declaring the purposes of God, whether by reproving and admonishing the wicked, or comforting the afflicted, or revealing things hidden; esp. by foretelling future events

laying on – epithesis – a laying on, imposition; The imposition of hands was a sacred rite transmitted by the Jews to the Christians, and employed in praying for another, or in conferring upon him divine blessings, especially bodily health, or the Holy Spirit (at the administration of baptism and the inauguration to their office of the teachers and ministers of the church).

presbytery – presbuterion – body of elders, presbytery, senate, council; of the elders of any body (assembly) of Christians

Some would look at this as some sort of “ordination” for Timothy.  It’s probably more just looking back to a time when Timothy was prayed for, he received certain spiritual gifts, and there was accompanying prophetic words.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are often given through the laying on of hands, and often through the laying on of hands by the elders.

Peter and John sent to Samaria so they would receive the Holy Spirit –

(Acts 8:14-17 KJV)  Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: {15} Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: {16} (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) {17} Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

The church at Antioch sending out Paul and Barnabas, involving prophetic words, the Holy Spirit speaking –

(Acts 13:1-3 KJV)  Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. {2} As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. {3} And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Paul with the first believers at Ephesus –

(Acts 19:6 KJV)  And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Lesson

Stir up your gifts.

We all have things that make us want to stop using our gifts from time to time.

Sometimes we’ve had people make us believe that these gifts aren’t genuine.

Sometimes we’ve exercised our gifts, and they’ve led to trouble.

God gives gifts for a reason.  Let Him work through you.

:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

meditate – meletao – to care for, attend to carefully, practise; to meditate i.e. to devise, contrive; used of the Greeks of the meditative pondering and the practice of orators and rhetoricians

This is a related, opposite word of that translated “neglect” in the previous verse.  Instead of “not caring” about spiritual gifts, we are to “care for” them.

profiting – prokope – progress, advancement

may appear – phaneros – apparent, manifest, evident, known; manifest i.e to be plainly recognised or known

Lesson

Keep growing

God wants us to be growing stronger in our walk with Him, not growing stagnant or weaker.

:16 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.

take heed – epecho – to have or hold upon, apply, to observe, attend to; to give attention to; to hold towards, hold forth, present; to check

doctrine – didaskalia – teaching, instruction; that which is taught, doctrine

continue – epimeno – to stay at or with, to tarry still, still to abide, to continue, remain

(1 Tim 4:16 NLT)  Keep a close watch on yourself and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right, and God will save you and those who hear you.

Salvation comes to those who are sticking with God’s Word.  It comes to those who are paying attention to doing what Jesus says.  If Timothy does this, he’ll be saved.  He’ll also be a tool in helping those who listen to him to be saved as well.

1Timothy 5 Elders and Widows

:1  Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father;

elder – presbuteros – elder, of age,; advanced in life, an elder, a senior; a term of rank or office.  Paul could be talking about those who hold the office of an elder since he’s already been doing that, but I think that with the immediate context (younger men, elder women …) he’s probably talking about how Timothy should treat men who are older than he is.

rebuke – epiplesso – to strike upon, beat upon; to chastise with words, to chide, upbraid, rebuke

entreat – parakaleo – to call to one’s side, call for, summon; to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc.

It’s not that Timothy shouldn’t never try to correct a man who is older than he is, but he ought to take care in how he does it.

Lesson

Treat older people with respect.

I think this is something we’ve completely lost in our American society.

Illustration

Seems an elderly gentleman had serious hearing problems for a number of  years. He went to the doctor and the doctor was able to have him fitted for  a set of hearing aids that allowed the gentleman to hear 100%.  The elderly gentleman went back in a month to the doctor and the doctor  said, “your hearing is perfect. Your family must be really pleased you can  hear again.”  To which the gentleman said, “Oh, I haven’t told my family yet. I just sit  around and listen to the conversations. I’ve changed my will three times!”

The Bible says,

(Lev 19:32 KJV)  Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.

:1  and the younger men as brethren;

younger – neos – recently born, young, youthful

:2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

purity – hagneia – purity, sinlessness of life

Lesson

Treat people with respect

It’s not just the elderly, but we ought to learn to treat each other with respect.

:3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.

honour – timao – to estimate, fix the value; to honour, to have in honour, to revere, venerate

indeed – ontos – truly, in reality, in point of fact, as opp. to what is pretended, fictitious, false, conjectural; that which is truly etc., that which is indeed

About widows – in ancient days, widows and orphans were the most helpless people or society.  They had no man to provide for them.  They were unable to provide for themselves.

As a result, the early church had a ministry of taking care of the needs of the widows.  This was where the first “deacons” became involved, in helping serve food to the widows of the church.

Here, the idea of “honour” doesn’t just mean “respect”, but is referring to the practice of taking care of the physical needs of the widows.

Paul is giving Timothy guidelines of who the church should help out with it’s welfare program.

The only “widows” that the church should be taking care of are those who have absolutely no other family at all.

:4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents:

nephews – ekgonon – sprung from one, born, begotten; a son, daughter, offspring, children, descendants; grandchildren

piety – eusebeo – to act piously or reverently; towards God, one’s country, magistrates, relations, and all to whom dutiful regard or reverence is due

requite – amoibe – requital, recompence

requite – apodidomi – to deliver, to give away for one’s own profit what is one’s own, to sell; to pay off, discharge what is due; to give back, restore

If a woman’s husband dies, but she has other relatives, whether children or grandchildren, then it’s only right and proper for the family to take care of the woman’s needs.  God thinks that the family should take care of it’s own needs.

We find this kind of principle at church when we are asked if we can help someone out.  We have funds set aside to do just that very thing.  But one of the things that we find it important to ask, is whether or not their family can help them out.  Sometimes people don’t want to ask their family for help, yet in God’s sight, He would rather that the family be the first place we go to for help.

:4  for that is good and acceptable before God.

Lesson

God’s heart is for the family.

God’s ways involve putting a priority on your family.  When you put a priority on your family, God is pleased.

:5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

desolate – monoo – to make single or solitary; leave alone, forsake

trusteth – elpizo – to hope; in a religious sense, to wait for salvation with joy and full confidence; hopefully to trust in

continueth – prosmeno – to remain with, to continue with one; to hold fast to: the grace of God received in the Gospel; to remain still, tarry, stay

supplications – deesis – need, indigence, want, privation, penury; a seeking, asking, entreating, entreaty to God or to man

More qualifications for a widow woman to be placed on the church’s welfare payroll. 

She needs to be a woman who has no other means of income (desolate)

She is one who is trusting in God

She is one who has a life of prayer.

I kind of get the idea that these women were to have a ministry in the church of prayer.

It seems that part of becoming one of these “widows indeed” was a pledge to not get married (vs.11-12).

:6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

liveth in pleasure – spatalao – to live luxuriously, lead a voluptuous life, (give one’s self to pleasure)

The church’s welfare system wasn’t meant for people to take it easy and live the good life.

:7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.

charge – paraggello – to transmit a message along from one to another, to declare, announce; to command, order, charge

blameless – anepileptos – not apprehended, that cannot be laid hold of; that cannot be reprehended, not open to censure, irreproachable

:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

provide – pronoeo – to perceive before, foresee; to provide, think of beforehand; to provide for one; to take thought for, care for a thing

denied – arneomai – to deny; to deny, abnegate, abjure

Lesson

Take care of your family.

:9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

taken into the number – katalego – to lay down; to set down in a list or register, to enroll

threescore – sixty

Paul now goes on to give more requirements that a widow should meet before being taken care of by the church.

She must be at least sixty years old. 

She must be a “one-man-wife”. 

This is probably talking in relation to polygamy, though some would surely point it at divorce as well.

:10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

More Qualifications for widows:  Good works.

good – kalos – beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable

What you have is a good job description of someone who wants to do “good works”.

brought up children – teknotropheo – to bring up children

lodged strangers – xenodocheo – to receive and entertain hospitably, to be hospitable

washed – nipto – to wash

Jesus washed the disciples’ feet (John 13).  These are the only two instances of this practice in Scripture.

The idea is that she is willing to serve her fellow Christians with even the menial things, servant’s work like washing feet.

the afflicted – thlibo – to press (as grapes), press hard upon; metaph. to trouble, afflict, distress

relieved – eparkeo – to avail or be strong enough for; to ward off or drive away, a thing for another’s advantage; to aid, give assistance, relieve; to give aid from one’s own resources

diligently followed – epakoloutheo – to follow (close) upon, follow after; to tread in one’s footsteps i.e. to imitate his example

The church wasn’t supposed to just cut a check for every needy woman who walked in the door.

:11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;

refuse – paraiteomai – to ask along side, beg to have near one; to avert by entreaty or seek to avert, to deprecate; to entreat that ... not; to refuse, decline; to shun, avoid; to avert displeasure by entreaty; to beg pardon, crave indulgence, to excuse; of one excusing himself for not accepting a wedding invitation to a feast

wax wanton – katastreniao – to feel the impulses of sexual desire

:12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

damnation – krima – a decree, judgments; judgment; condemnation of wrong, the decision (whether severe or mild) which one passes on the faults of others

cast off – atheteo – to do away with, to set aside, disregard; to thwart the efficacy of anything, nullify, make void, frustrate; to reject, to refuse, to slight

first faith – Evidently one of the pledges on joining the order of widows was not to marry.  If these gals were young enough, they’d want to get married and then break their pledge to the Lord.

:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

to be idle – argos – free from labour, at leisure; lazy, shunning the labour which one ought to perform

wandering – perierchomai – to go about; of strollers; of wanderers; of navigators (making a circuit)

tattlers – phluaros (“to bubble”) – of persons uttering or doing silly things, garrulous, babbling; of things, foolish, trifling, vain

busybodies – periergos – busy about trifles and neglectful of important matters; esp. busy about other folks’ affairs, a busybody; of things: impertinent and superfluous

Lesson

Idleness brings trouble

Paul is concerned that these women who have too much time on their hands can end up causing trouble in the church.

:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

I will – boulomai – to will deliberately, have a purpose, be minded; of willing as an affection, to desire

bear children – teknogoneo – beget or bear children

guide the house – oikodespoteo (“house” + “tyrant, despot, master”) – to be master (or head) of a house; to rule a household, manage family affairs; “keep house” (NAS); “manage their homes” (NIV).

occasion – aphorme – a place from which a movement or attack is made, a base of operations; metaph. that by which endeavour is excited and from which it goes forth; that which gives occasion and supplies matter for an undertaking, the incentive

adversary – antikeimai – to be set over against, opposite to; to oppose, be adverse to, withstand

speak reproachfully – loidoria – railing, reviling

Lesson

Stay busy and keep out of trouble

:15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.

turned aside – ektrepo – to turn or twist out; in a medical sense used of dislocated limbs; to turn off or aside

Timothy is the pastor in Ephesus.  Keep in mind that though it’s been a little while since Paul was in Ephesus, this is the church that Paul knows best.  Of the past 11 years that Paul has been with Timothy, they’ve spent three of those years in Ephesus.  I think he knows of specific people who fit this description.

:16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

relieve – eparkeo – to avail or be strong enough for; to aid, give assistance, relieve; to give aid from one’s own resources

charged – bareo – to burden, weigh down, depress

People should meet the needs of their families, and not the church.  The church should be taking care of those who have nowhere else to turn.

:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

well – kalos – beautifully, finely, excellently, well

rule – proistemi – to set or place before; to be over, to superintend, preside over; to be a protector or guardian

be counted worthy – axioo – to think meet, fit, right; to judge worthy, deem, deserving

honour – time – a valuing by which the price is fixed; of the price itself; honour which belongs or is shown to one

As we saw in 1Tim. 5:3-16, the whole concept of “honoring widows” involved that of financially supporting them.

Paul is talking about supporting those in leadership in the church.  We would see it apply in the principle of paying the pastors.

labour – kopiao – to grow weary, tired, exhausted (with toil or burdens or grief); to labour with wearisome effort, to toil; of bodily labour

:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

Paul quotes from:

De 25:4  Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out [the corn].

The idea is that if you are making your ox work hard by walking through your grain in order to thresh it, you should let him bend down and eat a bit as he’s working.  He’s worked hard and he deserves it.

And then from Jesus:

Lu 10:7  And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

Jesus was getting ready to send out a group of seventy disciples to preach and teach, and He was instructing them to allow the people to take them into their homes and feed them, because if they’ve worked hard, they’ve earned it.

The point is, it’s okay to pay staff at a church.

:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

accusation – kategoria – accusation, charge

Lesson

Be careful what you listen to.

Elders and pastors are human beings, and they will sin just like everyone else.  They need their share of rebuking and repenting like everyone else.

But because they are in the frontlines of God’s army, they will also face more attacks than anyone else, including attacks of slander.

Paul is giving good advice that we ought to take in regards to anyone, but especially for those in leadership.

Sometimes people get their feelings hurt and when they tell their story to others, things can come out kind of slanted.

Also be careful that the “two or three witnesses” aren’t just telling the same story originated by one individual.

:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

rebuke – elegcho – to convict, refute, confute; generally with a suggestion of shame of the person convicted; by conviction to bring to the light, to expose; to find fault with, correct; to reprehend severely, chide, admonish, reprove; to call to account, show one his fault, demand an explanation

If an elder has indeed done something wrong, Paul is telling Timothy that the elder ought to be “rebuked” in front of the whole church.

Elders are to set an example.  And sometimes that example involves being rebuked.

The act of a public rebuke ought to put fear and trembling into anyone.

:21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

charge – diamarturomai – to testify; earnestly, religiously to charge; to attest, testify to, solemnly affirm

observe – phulasso – to guard; to watch, keep watch; to guard for one’s self (i.e. for one’s safety’s sake) so as not to violate, i.e. to keep, observe (the precepts of the Mosaic law)

preferring – prokrima – an opinion formed before the facts are known; a prejudgment, a prejudice

partiality – prosklisis (“towards” + “bowing”, “leaning”) – an inclination or proclivity of mind; a joining the party of one; partiality

Lesson

Don’t play favorites

Sometimes we play favorites by judging people by their outward appearance, like their clothing.

Illustration

Here's a good story about being a respecter or, should I say, a disrespecter of persons:

John Barrier didn’t like the way a bank manager in Spokane, WA, looked at him—like he’d “crawled out from under a rock” because of his dirty construction clothes.  So Barrier, who just wanted a parking slip validated, took his money and left -- $1 million at the time.  It began when Barrier, 59, went to Old National Bank to cash a $100 check.  When he tried to validate the slip to save 60 cents, a receptionist refused, saying he hadn’t conducted a transaction.  “She said you have to make a deposit,” he says.  “I told her I’m considered a substantial depositor and she looked at me like... well.”  He asked to see the manager, who also refused to stamp the ticket.  Barrier went to bank headquarters vowing to withdraw his $2 million plus unless the manager apologized.  No call came.  “So the next day I went over and the first amount I took out was $1 million.”  “But if you have $100 in a bank or $1 million,” he says, “I think they owe you the courtesy of stamping your parking ticket.” 

-- Elisa Tinsley, USA Today

:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

suddenly – tacheos – quickly, shortly

be partaker – koinoneo – to come into communion or fellowship with, to become a sharer, be made a partner; to enter into fellowship, join one’s self to an associate, make one’s self a sharer or partner

Paul is addressing the issue of putting people into leadership.

When the apostles put the first six men into the position of “deacon” (Acts 6:6), they “laid hands” on them, as a way of saying that these men had their blessing and authority.

Paul is encouraging Timothy not to put people into leadership too quickly because he will find himself becoming involved in these men’s sins.  The idea is that people can fool you for a while about who they are, and if you raise them up too quickly, you may get a surprise.  If a secret sin comes out, because you had put them into their position of leadership, you become a “sharer” in their sin.

Paul will explain more about this in verse 24-25.

:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

often – puknos – thick, dense, compact; frequently, often, recurring

infirmities – astheneia – want of strength, weakness, infirmity

It seems as if Paul stops his train of thought about putting men into leadership positions, and has a quick note concerning Timothy’s health.

Keep in mind, water in those days had no safety testing standards.  Water contained all sorts of bacteria and things like Montezuma’s revenge.  A common practice in ancient days was to mix a little wine into the water, and it would actually cut down the bacteria.

:24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.

open beforehand – prodelos – openly evident, known to all, manifest

Paul is talking about the kinds of sins that would hinder a man from becoming an elder in a church.  Not everyone is going to have these kinds of sins.

Some people’s sins are pretty much out in the open.  Everyone can see what their sins are.

For others, they hide their sins pretty well and you don’t become aware of their sins for a long time.  That’s why Paul cautions against being too hasty in making a man an “elder”.

:25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

manifest beforehand – prodelos – openly evident, known to all, manifest

Just as some men’s sins are pretty evident to all, also, some men’s good works are also pretty evident.  And even the ones that aren’t so evident aren’t going to be hidden for very long.

1Timothy 6

:1  Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour,

yoke – zugos – a yoke; a yoke that is put on draught cattle; metaph., used of any burden or bondage; as that of slavery

servants – doulos – a slave, bondman, man of servile condition; a slave

masters – despotes – a master, Lord

count – hegeomai – to lead; to consider, deem, account, think

honour – time – a valuing by which the price is fixed; of the price itself; honour which belongs or is shown to one; of the honour which one has by reason of rank and state of office which he holds; deference, reverence

In 1Timothy 5, this counting of “honor” involved financial support (widows, elders).  But here it would not seem that a slave is going to financially support his master.  But he gives him honor in other ways.

:1  that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

Jesus is concerned that His followers set a good example, even at being a good slave.

:2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

despise – kataphroneo – to contemn, despise, disdain, think little or nothing of

rather – mallon – more, to a greater degree, rather; much, by far; rather, sooner; more willingly, more readily, sooner.  NAS translates this, “but let them serve them all the more”.

Lesson

Treat your believing boss with respect.

A Christian slave could understand treating his pagan master with respect because the guy could have him killed.  But a problem would come up when the master himself became a Christian.  The believing slaves could then start looking for their master to give them little extra favors, right?  After all, isn’t he now a “brother”?

If your boss is a Christian, you should work all the more harder for him instead of trying to take advantage of your position as a “brother”.

:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

teach otherwise – heterodidaskaleo – to teach other or different doctrine; deviating from the truth

consent – proserchomai – to come to, approach; draw near to; to assent to

wholesome – hugiaino – to be sound, to be well, to be in good health

Paul is warning Timothy about men who are going to come along and want to teach something different.

:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

proud – tuphoo – to raise a smoke, to wrap in a mist; metaph.  to make proud, puff up with pride, render insolent; to be puffed up with haughtiness or pride; to blind with pride or conceit, to render foolish or stupid

knowing – epistamai – to put one’s attention on, fix one’s thoughts on, to turn one’s self or one’s mind to, put one’s thought upon a thing; to be acquainted with, to understand; to know

doting – noseo – to be sick; metaph. of any ailment of the mind; to be taken with such an interest in a thing as amounts to a disease, to have a morbid fondness for

strifes of words – logomachia – to contend about words; to wrangle about empty and trifling matters

(NIV) He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions

:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

perverse disputings – paradiatribe – useless occupation, empty business, misemployment

corrupt minds – diaphtheiro – to change for the worse, to corrupt; of minds, morals; to destroy, ruin; to consume

supposing – nomizo – to hold by custom or usage, own as a custom or usage, to follow a custom or usage; it is the custom, it is the received usage; to deem, think, suppose

gain – porismos – acquisition, gain; source of gain

godliness – eusebeia – reverence, respect; piety towards God, godliness

withdraw – aphistemi – to make stand off, cause to withdraw, to remove; to stand off, to stand aloof

Paul is saying that there will be men who will be out to make a buck off the church.  They will try and find a way of making money off of godliness.  Paul says to stay away from those kinds of people.

I am concerned with the “prosperity” and “faith” teachers who sound awfully close to this.  Their whole teaching is about how to become wealthy through your Christianity.  I’d stay away.

:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

gain – porismos – acquisition, gain; source of gain

godliness – eusebeia – reverence, respect; piety towards God, godliness

contentment – autarkeia – a perfect condition of life in which no aid or support is needed; sufficiency of the necessities of life; a mind contented with its lot, contentment

Lesson

Look for the right kind of prosperity

The kind of prosperity we ought to be looking for is not financial, but spiritual.

If you can learn to live a godly life and be content with what you have, you will find great reward, great spiritual treasure.

Paul wrote to the Philippians:

(Phil 4:11-13 NASB)  Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. {12} I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. {13} I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

certain – delos – clear, evident, manifest

You can’t take it with you.  A hearse cannot pull a U-haul trailer.

:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

food – diatrophe – sustenance

raiment – skepasma – a covering, spec. clothing

content – arkeo – to be possessed of unfailing strength; to be strong, to suffice, to be enough; to be satisfied, to be contented

:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

will – boulomai – to will deliberately, have a purpose, be minded; of willing as an affection, to desire

be rich – plouteo – to be rich, to have abundance; of outward possessions

temptation – peirasmos – an experiment, attempt, trial, proving; the trial of man’s fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy; an enticement to sin, temptation, whether arising from the desires or from the outward circumstances

snare – pagis – snare, trap, noose; of snares in which birds are entangled and caught; implies unexpectedly, suddenly, because birds and beasts are caught unawares; a snare, i.e. whatever brings peril, loss, destruction

lusts – epithumia – desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust

foolish – anoetos – not understood, unintelligible; not understanding, unwise, foolish

hurtful – blaberos – hurtful, injurious

drown – buthizo – to plunge into the deep, to sink

destruction – olethros – ruin, destroy, death; for the destruction of the flesh, said of the external ills and troubles by which the lusts of the flesh are subdued and destroyed

perdition – apoleia – destroying, utter destruction; a perishing, ruin, destruction; the destruction which consists of eternal misery in hell

Lesson

You don’t know what you’re asking for

When you find yourself asking for more money, you don’t know what you’re asking for.  There are hidden traps attached to having more money than you know.

Illustration

According to a new survey by ICR Survey Research Group of Media, Pennsylvania, Americans are more likely than ever before to be dishonest with money. the poll, conducted for Money magazine, found that:

The young are less ethical than the old.

Men tend toward dishonesty more than do women.

Nearly a third of respondents said they’d cheat on their income taxes.

Almost a quarter said they’d steal $10 million if they knew they could get away with it.

24% would not correct a waiter who undercharged them, compared to 15% in 1987.

9% would keep a wallet found with $1,000 cash in it, compared to 4% in 1987.

“The public’s ethical standards are dropping,” the magazine concluded in a story titled “You’d be surprised at what folks will do for money today.”

-- The Issachar Project, 7-26-94.

Illustration

Mexican Fisherman

The American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked.  Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.  The Mexican replied, only a little while.   The American then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish?  The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs.  The American then asked, “but what do you do with the rest of your time?”  The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life.”  The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you.  You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat with the proceeds from the bigger  boat you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise.”  The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”  To which the American replied, “15-20 years.”  “But what then?”  The American laughed and said that’s the best part.  “When the time isright you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to then public and become very rich, you would make millions.”  “Millions..  Then what?”  The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”

:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

love of money – philarguria – love of money, avarice

coveted after – oregomai – to stretch one’s self out in order to touch or to grasp something, to reach after or desire something

erred – apoplanao – to cause to go astray; to lead away from the truth to error; to go astray, stray away from

pierced themselves – peripeiro – to pierce through; metaph. to torture one’s soul with sorrows

sorrows – odune – consuming grief, pain, sorrow

Illustration

Discouragement comes when you try to start with what you wish you had but don't have.  And it intensifies when you insist on trying to be in a position you are not in and probably never will be in.

-- Stuart Briscoe, Bound For Joy, Regal Books 1975, 1984, p. 95

:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

flee – pheugo – to flee away, seek safety by flight; metaph. to flee (to shun or avoid by flight) something abhorrent, esp. vices

follow after – dioko – to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away; to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after; to press on: figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal; without the idea of hostility, to run after, follow after: someone; metaph., to pursue; to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavour to acquire

love – agape – brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence

patience – hupomone – steadfastness, constancy, endurance; a patient, steadfast waiting for; a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance

meekness – praotes – gentleness, mildness, meekness

:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

fight – agonizomai – to enter a contest: contend in the gymnastic games; to contend with adversaries, fight; metaph. to contend, struggle, with difficulties and dangers; to endeavour with strenuous zeal, strive: to obtain something

lay hold on – epilambanomai – to take in addition, to lay hold of, take possession of, overtake, attain, attain to; to lay hold of or to seize upon anything with the hands, to take hold of, lay hold of

professed – homologeo – to say the same thing as another, i.e. to agree with, assent; not to deny; to confess; to profess; to declare openly, speak out freely; to profess one’s self the worshipper of one

(Mat 10:32-33 KJV)  Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. {33} But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

:13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

quickeneth – zoopoieo – to produce alive, begat or bear living young; to cause to live, make alive, give life; by spiritual power to arouse and invigorate; to restore to life; of the spirit, quickening as respects the spirit, endued with new and greater powers of life

before Pontius Pilate –

(Mat 27:11 NLT)  Now Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor. "Are you the King of the Jews?" the governor asked him. Jesus replied, "Yes, it is as you say."

:14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

without spot – aspilos – spotless; metaph.  free from censure, irreproachable; free from vice, unsullied

unrebukeable – anepileptos – not apprehended, that cannot be laid hold of; that cannot be reprehended, not open to censure, irreproachable

Paul used this word to describe the conduct of an elder:

1Ti 3:2  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

He is to look for men who are “blameless”, but he, Timothy, is also to be “blameless”.

:15 Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

Potentate – dunastes – a prince, a potentate

:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

immortality – athanasia – undying, immortality, everlasting

no man can approach – aprositos – unapproachable, inaccessible

:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

charge – paraggello – to transmit a message along from one to another, to declare, announce; to command, order, charge

highminded – hupselophroneo – to be high minded, proud

trust – elpizo – to hope; in a religious sense, to wait for salvation with joy and full confidence; hopefully to trust in

It is not easy for a rich person to trust in God.

(Mat 19:23-24 KJV)  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. {24} And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

But it is possible. And those that are rich need to be reminded to use their wealth for God.

Don’t trust in riches, trust in God.

:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

ready to distribute – eumetadotos – ready or free to impart; liberal

willing to communicate – koinonikos – social, sociable, ready and apt to form and maintain communion and fellowship; inclined to make others sharers in one’s possessions, inclined to impart, free in giving, liberal

:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

laying up in store – apothesaurizo – to put away, lay by in store, to treasure away; to store up abundance for future use

They say “You can’t take it with you”.  But you can send it up ahead.  You can lay up treasures in heaven by doing good things on earth.

:20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

committed to thy trust – parakatatheke – a deposit, a trust or thing consigned to one’s faithful keeping

keep – phulasso – to guard; to watch, keep watch

avoiding – ektrepo – to turn or twist out; to turn off or aside; to be turned aside; to turn away from, to shun a thing, to avoid meeting or associating with one

profane – bebelos – accessible, lawful to be trodden; profane; unhallowed, common, public place

babblings – kenophonia – empty discussion, discussion of vain and useless matters

oppositions – antithesis – opposition, that which is opposed

falsely so called – pseudonumos – falsely named

science – gnosis – knowledge signifies in general intelligence, understanding

:21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

professing – epaggello – to announce that one is about to do or furnish something; to promise (of one’s own accord) to engage voluntarily; to profess; an art, to profess one’s skill in something

erred – astocheo – to deviate from, miss (the mark)

Lesson

Watch out for bad teaching

Look at all the warnings that Paul has now given Timothy regarding bad doctrine:

(1 Tim 1:3-7 KJV)  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, {4} Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. {5} Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: {6} From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; {7} Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

(1 Tim 4:1-3 KJV)  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; {2} Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; {3} 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.

(1 Tim 4:7 KJV)  But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

(1 Tim 4:16 KJV)  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.

(1 Tim 6:3-5 KJV)  If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; {4} He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, {5} Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

(1 Tim 6:20-21 KJV)  O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: {21} Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

If you become a teacher in the church, be careful that you don’t get carried away with looking for some new thing to teach.  The best way to make sure you stay on track with your teaching is to simply teach through the Scripture.