Sunday Evening Bible Study

November 11, 2000

Introduction

1Timothy begins what is known as the “Pastoral Epistles”.  These letters include 1 & 2 Timothy, and Titus.  They were written to men who were in the position of being pastors over the churches, and they contain lessons about how to pastor and lead the church.

We believe the letters were written around AD 63-67.  The history recorded in the book of Acts ends around AD 60, with Paul still being confined to an apartment, under house arrest, in Rome.  Church tradition has it that Paul was soon afterwards released from arrest and allowed to travel.  It was in AD 64 that Nero burned Rome and later blamed it on the Christians.

We can piece together some of what happened to Paul from these letters, which were the last letters written during the last few years of his life.  After having been released from imprisonment in Rome, Paul visited Ephesus (1Tim. 1:3), and left Timothy there to run the work.  Paul then went on to Macedonia (northern Greece), and writes his first letter to Timothy.  Then Paul went on to the island of Crete, leaving Titus in charge.  Paul’s next stop was Nicopolis in Achaia (southern Greece) and wrote to Titus either from Macedonia while on the way to Nicopolis, or from Nicopolis (Tit. 3:12).  Paul then went to Troas (2Tim. 4:13), where he was rearrested, sent to Rome, and imprisoned.  It’s from prison in Rome that Paul writes his second letter to Timothy.  Paul would then be tried and beheaded, somewhere around AD 66.

Paul is going to give Timothy instructions.  He’s going to give Timothy clear communication to help him know what to do.

Illustration

Communication

Someone wrote, “About five years ago the battery in my beat-up VW Beetle had died because I  left the lights on overnight. I was in a hurry to get to work on time so I  ran into the house to get my wife to give me a hand to start the car.  I told her to get into our second car, a prehistoric oversized gas guzzler,  and use it to push my car fast enough to start it. I pointed out to her that  because the VW had an automatic transmission, it needed to be pushed at least 30 mph for it to  start. She said fine, hoped into her car and drove off.  I sat there fuming wondering what she could be doing. A minute passed by and  when I saw her in the rearview mirror coming at me at about 40 mph, I  realized that I should have been a bit clearer with my directions.”

1Timothy 1

:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

commandment – epitage – an injunction, mandate, command

:2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

Timothy – Timotheos – “honoring God"

my own – gnesios – legitimately born, not spurious; true, genuine, sincere

son – teknon – offspring, children; child; a male child, a son; in the NT, pupils or disciples are called children of their teachers, because the latter by their instruction nourish the minds of their pupils and mould their characters

:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia,

besought – 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.; to admonish, exhort

to abide – 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

Paul left Timothy in Ephesus to oversee the church.

:3  that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

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

teach no other doctrine – heterodidaskaleo – to teach other or different doctrine; deviating from the truth

Some people had risen in the Ephesian church who were teaching “other” doctrines, which we’ll get a hint at in the next verses.

:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

give heed 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; to apply one’s self to, attach one’s self to, hold or cleave to a person or a thing; to be given or addicted to; to devote thought and effort to

fables – muthos (“myth”) – a speech, word, saying; a narrative, story; a true narrative; a fiction, a fable; an invention, a falsehood

genealogies – genealogia – a genealogy, a record of descent or lineage

endless – aperantos – that can not be passed through, boundless, endless

questions – zetesis – a seeking; enquiry; a questioning, debate; a subject of questioning or debate, matter of controversy

minister – parecho – to reach forth, offer; to be the authors of, or to cause one to have

edifying – oikonomia – the management of a household or of household affairs; specifically, the management, oversight, administration, of other’s property

“Edifying” is probably a bad translation.  These “myths” only promote controversy and arguments rather than promoting the work of God.

:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

end – telos – end; the end to which all things relate, the aim, purpose

commandment – paraggelia – announcement, a proclaiming or giving a message to; a charge, a command

Paul could be talking about two different things here.  He could be talking about the “commandments” of God, God’s law.  As you’ll see in the context, the Law will be talked about, but the Greek word he uses for “law” in verses 7-9 is nomos, a different word.

Paul is probably talking about his instruction to Timothy to stop these bad teachers from teaching wrong things.  The word that Paul uses in verse 3, “that thou mightest charge some”, is the same word Paul uses here for “commandment”.

Paul is saying that the “goal” of this “charging”, the motivation for telling these men to stop their bad teaching, was love.

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

pure – katharos – clean, pure; free from every admixture of what is false, sincere genuine; blameless, innocent; unstained with the guilt of anything

heart – kardia – the heart

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

good – agathos – of good constitution or nature; good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy; excellent, distinguished; upright, honourable

unfeigned – anupokritos – unfeigned, undisguised, sincere

faith – pistis – faith; conviction of the truth of anything

Lesson

What’s your motive?

Paul says that the best motive is love, agape.  If we’re not operating out of love, we’re wasting our time.

(1 Cor 13:1-3 NLT)  If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn't love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal. {2} If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn't love others, what good would I be? And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody. {3} If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't love others, I would be of no value whatsoever.

Paul also qualifies this “love”.

Is it “love” from a pure heart?

Is there anything other than love mixed into your heart?

Is it “love” from a good conscience?

Is there something troubling you about your motives?

Is it “love” from a non-hypocritical faith?

Do you really feel that God is leading you?  Are you pretending at all?

:6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;

swerved – astocheo – to deviate from, miss (the mark); to have bad aim

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

vain jangling – mataiologia – vain talking, empty talk

:7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

desiring – thelo – to will, have in mind, intend; to be resolved or determined, to purpose; to desire, to wish

teachers of the law – nomodidaskalos – a teacher and interpreter of the law: among the Jews; of those who among Christians went about as champions and interpreters of the Mosaic law

understanding – noeo – to perceive with the mind, to understand, to have understanding; to think upon, heed, ponder, consider

they say – lego – to say, to speak; affirm over, maintain; to teach

they affirm – diabebaioomai – to affirm strongly, assert confidently

The idea is that these people are saying certain things, and they are VERY strong and confident about these same things.  But the problem is that they don’t know what they’re talking about.

Lesson

Don’t confuse confidence with correctness

I think that sometimes we think that if a person sounds confident about a subject they’re talking about, that they must know what they’re talking about.  I’ve begun to learn that this isn’t always true.  Some people are just good at sounding confident and authoritative about everything that they talk about, when they might not have the slightest clue about what they’re really talking about.

:8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;

good – kalos – beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable; good, excellent in its nature and characteristics, and therefore well adapted to its ends; praiseworthy, noble; morally good, noble; honourable, conferring honour

law – nomos – anything established, anything received by usage, a custom, a law, a command

lawfully – nomimos – lawfully, agreeable to the law, properly

use it – chraomai – to receive a loan; borrow; to take for one’s use, to use; to make use of a thing

:9 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,

righteous – dikaios – righteous, observing divine laws; in a wide sense, upright, righteous, virtuous, keeping the commands of God; innocent, faultless, guiltless

made – keimai – to lie; metaph.  to be (by God’s intent) set, i.e. destined, appointed; of laws, to be made, laid down

lawless – anomos – destitute of (the Mosaic) law; departing from the law, a violator of the law, lawless, wicked

disobedient – anupotaktos – not made subject, unsubjected; that cannot be subjected to control, disobedient, unruly, refractory.  We might say “unsubmissive”.

ungodly – asebes – destitute of reverential awe towards God, condemning God, impious

sinners – hamartolos – devoted to sin, a sinner

unholy – anosios – unholy, impious, wicked

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

murderers of fathers – patraloas – a patricide

murderers of mothers – metraloas – matricide, the murderer of a mother

manslayers – androphonos – a murderer

:10 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;

whoremongers – pornos – a man who prostitutes his body to another’s lust for hire; a male prostitute; a man who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse, a fornicator

them that defile themselves with mankind – arsenokoites (“man” + “bed”) – one who lies with a male as with a female, sodomite, homosexual

menstealers – andrapodistes – a slave-dealer, kidnapper, man-stealer

liars – pseustes – a liar; one who breaks faith; a false and faithless man

perjured persons – epiorkos – a false swearer, a perjurer

sound – hugiaino – to be sound, to be well, to be in good health; metaph.  of Christians whose opinions are free from any mixture of error; of one who keeps the graces and is strong

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

These are the people the Law was intended for.  The Law shows us how far short we fall of God’s ways.

:11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

committed to my trust – pisteuo – to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in; to entrust a thing to one, i.e. his fidelity; to be intrusted with a thing

:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

hath enabled – endunamoo – to be strong, endue with strength, strengthen

faithful – pistos – trusty, faithful; of persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of official duties; one who kept his plighted faith, worthy of trust; that can be relied on

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

putting – tithemi – to set, put, place

ministry – diakonia – service, ministering, esp. of those who execute the commands of others

:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

blasphemer – blasphemos – speaking evil, slanderous, reproachful, railing, abusive

persecutor – dioktes – persecutor

injurious – hubristes – an insolent man; one who, uplifted with pride, either heaps insulting language upon others or does them some shameful act of wrong

obtained mercy – eleeo – to have mercy on; to help one afflicted or seeking aid; to help the afflicted, to bring help to the wretched; to experience mercy

ignorantly – agnoeo – to be ignorant, not to know; not to understand, unknown; to err or sin through mistake, to be wrong

unbelief – apistia – unfaithfulness, faithless; want of faith, unbelief

:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

was exceeding abundant – huperpleonazo – to be exceedingly abundant; to overflow; to possess in excess

:15 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.

faithful saying – Paul will use this or similar phrasing five times in these Pastoral Epistles.

1Ti 1:15  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.

1Ti 3:1  This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

1Ti 4:9  This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. (that bodily exercise profits a little, but exercising in godliness profits in all things)

Tit 3:8  This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

2Ti 2:11  It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:

I think the idea is that these were sayings that were taught the early church, and Paul is referring to them. The early church didn’t have the luxury of having Bibles, much of what they were taught was through word of mouth.

chief – protos – first in rank; influence, honour; chief

Lesson

Humility

I don’t think Paul is trying to objectively claim that he was the worst sinner that ever lived.  I think he’s just being real about how he feels about his sin.

:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

I obtained mercy – eleeo – to have mercy on; to help one afflicted or seeking aid; to help the afflicted, to bring help to the wretched; to experience mercy

show forth – endeiknumi – to point out; to show, demonstrate, prove, whether by arguments or by acts; to manifest, display, put forth

longsuffering – makrothumia – patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance; patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs

a pattern – hupotuposis – an outline, sketch, brief and summary exposition; an example, pattern; to show by the example of my conversation that the same grace which I had obtained would not be wanting also to those who should hereafter believe

Lesson

He can save you too.

Paul is saying that if Jesus could save him, then He can save anyone.

:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

immortal – aphthartos – uncorrupted, not liable to corruption or decay, imperishable; immortal

:18 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;

charge – paraggelia – announcement, a proclaiming or giving a message to; a charge, a command

commit – paratithemi – to place beside or near or set before; to deposit; to intrust, commit to one’s charge

went before – proago – to lead forward, lead forth; to go before; preceding, prior in time, previous; to proceed, go forward

prophecies – propheteia – 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

war – strateuomai – to make a military expedition, to lead soldiers to war or to battle, (spoken of a commander); to do military duty, be on active service, be a soldier; to fight

warfare – strateia – an expedition, campaign, military service, warfare; metaph. Paul likens his contest with the difficulties that oppose him in the discharge of his apostolic duties, as warfare

Lesson

God sets the direction

We don’t have a lot of clues as to what the specifics were, but somehow Timothy had received some prophecies from the Lord, things that were directing his life.

If God were to speak, would you hear Him?

Take time to pray, take time to wait on Him, take time to be alone with Him and hear His voice.  I think we also need to take time to pray over each other as well.

Illustration

Two men went fishing. One man was an experienced  fisherman, the other wasn’t. Every time the experienced fisherman caught a  big fish, he put it in his ice chest to keep it fresh.  Whenever the inexperienced fisherman caught a big  fish, he threw it back. The experienced fisherman watched this go on all  day and finally got tired of seeing this man waste good fish. “Why do you keep throwing back all the big  fish you catch?” he asked.  The inexperienced fisherman replied, “I only have a small frying pan.”

Sometimes, like that fisherman, we throw back  the big plans, the big dreams, the big jobs and the big  opportunities that God gives us. Our faith is too small.  We laugh at that fisherman who didn’t figure out that all  he needed was a bigger frying pan; yet how ready are we  to increase the size of our faith?

:19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

holding – echo – to have, i.e. to hold; to have i.e. own, possess; to hold one’s self to a thing, to lay hold of a thing, to adhere or cling to .  The verb is a present participle, meaning continuous action.

put away – apotheomai – to thrust away, push away, repel; shove away; repudiate, reject, refuse

made shipwreck – nauageo – to suffer shipwreck

Lesson

Keep trusting, don’t violate your conscience

(1 Tim 1:19 NLT)  Cling tightly to your faith in Christ, and always keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.

(Rom 14:22-23 NLT)  You may have the faith to believe that there is nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who do not condemn themselves by doing something they know is all right. {23} But if people have doubts about whether they should eat something, they shouldn't eat it. They would be condemned for not acting in faith before God. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.

:20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Hymenaeus – Humenaios – “belonging to marriage”; a heretic, one of the opponents of the apostle Paul.  We know nothing else of him.

Alexander – Alexandros – “man defender”.  This may be the man Paul talks about in:

(2 Tim 4:14 NLT)  Alexander the coppersmith has done me much harm, but the Lord will judge him for what he has done.

delivered unto – paradidomi – to give into the hands (of another); to give over into (one’s) power or use

may learn – paideuo – to train children; to be instructed or taught or learn; to chastise; of a father punishing his son

to blaspheme – blasphemeo – to speak reproachfully, rail at, revile, calumniate, blaspheme; to be evil spoken of, reviled, railed at

1Timothy 2

:1  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

exhort – 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.; to admonish, exhort; to beg, entreat, beseech

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

prayers – proseuche – prayer addressed to God

intercessions – enteuxis – a falling in with, meeting with; an interview; a conference or conversation; a petition, supplication

giving of thanks – eucharistia – thankfulness; the giving of thanks

:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

kings – basileus – leader of the people, prince, commander, lord of the land, king

Who was “king” in Paul’s day?  Nero.

authority – huperoche – elevation, pre-eminence, superiority

quiet – eremos – quiet, tranquil; the emphasis on “stillness”.

peaceable – hesuchios – quiet, tranquil; “sitting still”

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

honesty – semnotes – the characteristic of a thing or person which entitles to reverence and respect, dignity, majesty, sanctity; honour, purity

:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

good – kalos – beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable; beautiful to look at, shapely, magnificent; good, excellent in its nature and characteristics, and therefore well adapted to its ends

acceptable – apodektos – accepted, acceptable, agreeable

:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

will – thelo – to will, have in mind, intend; to be resolved or determined, to purpose; to desire, to wish; to love; to like to do a thing, be fond of doing; to take delight in, have pleasure

It’s God’s desire that all people be saved.  God loves to save people.

knowledge – epignosis – precise and correct knowledge; a fuller, clearer, more thorough knowledge

:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

mediator – mesites – one who intervenes between two, either in order to make or restore peace and friendship, or form a compact, or for ratifying a covenant; a medium of communication, arbitrator

:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

ransom – antilutron – what is given in exchange for another as the price of his redemption, ransom

:7 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.

ordained – tithemi – to set, put, place; to set, fix establish; to establish, ordain

preacher – kerux – a herald or messenger vested with public authority, who conveyed the official messages of kings, magistrates, princes, military commanders, or who gave a public summons or demand, and performed various other duties. In the NT God’s ambassador, and the herald or proclaimer of the divine word.

apostle – apostolos – a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders

teacher – didaskalos – a teacher

Lesson

What’s your ministry?

We each have gifts and ministries that the Lord has for us to do.

Paul saw himself with three ministries – preacher, apostle, teacher.

As a preacher, he shared the gospel with people, leading people to trust in Jesus.

As an apostle, he went out, kept moving, opened up new areas for the gospel.

As a teacher, he established people in the truth.

:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

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

pray – proseuchomai – to offer prayers, to pray

lifting up – epairo – to lift up, raise up, raise on high

holy – hosios – undefiled by sin, free from wickedness, religiously observing every moral obligation, pure holy, pious; used of persons or things, describes that which is in harmony with the divine constitution of the moral universe. Hence, it is that which is in accordance with the general and instinctively felt idea of right, "what is consecrated and sanctioned by universal law and consent" (Passow), rather than what is in accordance with any system of revealed truth.

It’s not necessarily what is correct in God’s laws, but what is naturally right, what everyone in the world recognizes as right.

wrath – orge – anger, the natural disposition, temper, character; movement or agitation of the soul, impulse, desire, any violent emotion, but esp. anger

doubting – dialogismos – the thinking of a man deliberating with himself; a deliberating, questioning about what is true; hesitation, doubting; disputing, arguing

(1 Tim 2:8 NLT)  So wherever you assemble, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

Lesson

Men should pray

:9 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;

in like manner – hosautos – in like manner, likewise

women – gune – a woman of any age, whether a virgin, or married, or a widow; a wife; of a betrothed woman

apparel – katastole – a lowering, letting down; a garment let down, dress, attire

modest – kosmios – well arranged, seemly, modest

shamefacedness – aidos – a sense of shame or honour, modesty, bashfulness, reverence, regard for others, respect; the feeling of innate moral repugnance to doing a dishonorable act.

sobriety – sophrosune – soundness of mind; self-control, sobriety; self-command, it expresses positively that which aidos expresses negatively.

adorn – kosmeo – to put in order, arrange, make ready, prepare; to ornament, adore; metaph. to embellish with honour, gain honour

broided hair – plegma – what is woven, plaited, or twisted together; a web, plait, braid; of a net; of a basket, in which the infant Moses was laid; of braided hair

gold – chrusos – precious things made of gold, golden ornaments

pearls – margarites – a pearl

costly – poluteles – precious; requiring very great outlay, very costly; excellent, of surpassing value

array – himatismos – clothing, apparel

Lesson

God isn’t looking on the outside

God is looking on the inside.  It’s not the clothes you put on the outside of your body that impresses God, it’s …

:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

becometh – prepo – to stand out, to be conspicuous, to be eminent; to be becoming, seemly, fit

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

godliness – theosebeia (“God” + “worship”) – reverence towards God’s goodness

works – ergon – business, employment, that which any one is occupied; that which one undertakes to do, enterprise, undertaking

good – agathos – of good constitution or nature; good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy; excellent, distinguished; upright, honourable

Lesson

Let your walk match your talk

If you claim to be a worshipper of God, then your actions ought to show it.

The thing that makes a woman beautiful in God’s sight is the good works she does.

:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

in silence – hesuchia – quietness; description of the life of one who stays at home doing his own work, and does not officiously meddle with the affairs of others; silence

subjection – hupotage – the act of subjecting; obedience, subjection

I think that one of the issues here to keep in mind is that before the Christian church, women were not allowed into places of worship.  Knowing God was a guy thing.  And when Jesus broke down the barriers between men and women, some of the gals didn’t know how to conduct themselves in church.  Instead of interrupting the teacher, Paul is encouraging the women to learn quietly, like we all should.

:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

to teach – didasko – to teach; to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses; to be a teacher; to teach one; instill doctrine into one

suffer – epitrepo – to turn to, transfer, commit, instruct; to permit, allow, give leave

usurp authority over – authenteo – one who with his own hands kills another or himself; one who acts on his own authority, autocratic; an absolute master; to govern, exercise dominion over one

silence – hesuchia – quietness; description of the life of one who stays at home doing his own work, and does not officiously meddle with the affairs of others; silence

:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

first – protos – first in time or place; in any succession of things or persons; first in rank; influence, honour

formed – plasso – to form, mould (something from clay, wax, etc.); used of a potter

Paul has two reasons for not allowing women to teach men or to have authority over men.

Before we try and just dismiss this and say that it must be a cultural thing that only was applicable in Paul’s day, be careful to look at his reasons.  I think there are certain things in Scripture that can only be understood by looking at the culture, and that there are going to be some things that don’t apply to us in the same way because we live in a different culture. But this is not one of them. Paul’s reasons come out of the book of Genesis, not culture.

Paul’s first reason had to do with the order of creation.  Man was created first.

Illustration

TEN REASONS GOD CREATED EVE

10.  God worried that Adam would always be lost in the garden because he knew men would never ask directions.

9.   God knew that Adam would one day need someone to hand him the TV remote because men don't want to see what's on television, they want to see WHAT ELSE is on television.

8.  God knew that Adam would never buy a new fig leaf when the seat wore out and therefore would need Eve to get one for him.

7.  God knew that Adam would never make a doctors appointment for himself.

6.  God knew that Adam would never remember which night was garbage night.

 5.  God knew that if the world was to be populated there would have to be someone to bear them, because men would never be able to handle it.

4.  As "Keeper of the Garden" Adam would never remember where he put his tools.

3.  The scripture account of creation indicates that Adam needed someone to blame his troubles on when God caught him hiding in the garden.

 2.  As the Bible says, "It is not good for man to be alone."  He only ends up getting himself in trouble.

1.  When God finished the creation of Adam, he stepped back, scratched his head and said, "I can do better than that."

:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

deceived – apatao – to cheat, beguile, deceive

transgression – parabasis – a going over; metaph. a disregarding, violating; the breach of a definite, promulgated, ratified law; It is the breaking of a distinctly recognized commandment. It consequently means more than amartia (the word for “sin”).

This is Paul’s second reason has to do with Eve’s being deceived.

(Gen 3:6 KJV)  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Eve was tricked.  She was the one deceived by the serpent.

We often think that Eve must have tricked the man then into eating the fruit, but the Scripture doesn’t say that.  It just says that she gave him the fruit and he ate.

Part of the consequences of Eve’s sin was that her husband would “rule” over her:

Ge 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire [shall be] to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

:15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

childbearing – teknogonia – childbearing

continue – meno – to remain, abide

sobriety – sophrosune – soundness of mind; self-control, sobriety

This kind of sounds as if a woman can only be saved if she bears children.  Wrong.

The issue has to do with the dangers to women in Paul’s day of bearing children.  Without modern medical procedures, giving birth was always a risky thing for a woman.  Many women died while giving birth to their children.

But a woman who trusted in the Lord would be saved even in the middle of her worst trial, giving birth.

1Timothy 3

:1  This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

office of a bishop – episkope (“over” + “to see”) – investigation, inspection, visitation; oversight; overseership, office, charge, the office of an elder; the overseer or presiding officers of a Christian church

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

good – kalos – beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable; beautiful to look at, shapely, magnificent; good, excellent in its nature and characteristics, and therefore well adapted to its ends

work – ergon – business, employment, that which any one is occupied; that which one undertakes to do, enterprise, undertaking

desireth – epithumeo – to turn upon a thing; to have a desire for, long for, to desire; to lust after, covet

:2 A bishop then must be blameless,

must be – dei – it is necessary, there is need of, it behooves, is right and proper; necessity lying in the nature of the case; necessity brought on by circumstances or by the conduct of others toward us.

bishop – episkopos – an overseer; a man charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others are done rightly, any curator, guardian or superintendent; the superintendent, elder, or overseer of a Christian church

blameless – anepileptos – not apprehended, that cannot be laid hold of; that cannot be reprehended, not open to censure, irreproachable; designating one who affords nothing upon which an adversary might seize, in order to make a charge against him.

:2  the husband of one wife

one – mia – only one, someone

wife – gune – a woman of any age, whether a virgin, or married, or a widow; a wife; of a betrothed woman

husband – aner – with reference to sex; of a male; of a husband; of a betrothed or future husband

We could translate the phrase, “a one woman man”, or “a one wife husband”.

I’ve seen this applied many different ways, many of them bordering on legalism.

I’ve seen some say that a single man cannot become an elder or a pastor.  The problem with this is the apostle Paul himself.  He was not married (1Cor. 7:7-8).

I’ve seen this applied to people who have been divorced and remarried.

It probably has more to do with the issue of polygamy, as it would have been in Paul’s day.

Lesson

Have your marriage in order

I think the bottom line is about having your marriage in order.

If you’re single, then your marriage is in order because you don’t have a marriage.

But if you’re married, you need to have your marriage working.

A mature Christian does not neglect their marriage.

:2  vigilant, sober, of good behaviour

vigilant – nephaleos – sober, temperate; abstaining from wine, either entirely or at least from its immoderate use; of things free from all wine, as vessels, offerings

This thought is also repeated in verse 3, “not given to wine” –

given to wine – paroinos (“alongside” + “wine”) – given to wine, drunken

sober – sophron – of a sound mind, sane, in one’s senses; curbing one’s desires and impulses, self-controlled, temperate

good behavior – kosmios – well arranged, seemly, modest

This is a word used to describe “modest” clothing to be worn by women:

1Ti 2:9  In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel …

Lesson

A mature Christian has self control

:2  given to hospitality

given to hospitality – philoxenos (“love” + “strangers”) – hospitable, generous to guests

Lesson

Mature Christians reach out

They welcome strangers.

:2  apt to teach;

apt to teach – didaktikos – apt and skilful in teaching

Lesson

Mature Christians know God’s Word

They may not have a “gift” of teaching, but they are able to teach because they know the Scriptures.  They know the basics.

:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

given to wine – paroinos (“alongside” + “wine”) – given to wine, drunken

striker – plektes – bruiser, ready for a blow; a pugnacious, contentious, quarrelsome person

patient – epieikes – seeming, suitable; equitable, fair, mild, gentle

brawler – amachos – not to be withstood, invincible; not contentious; abstaining from fighting

Lesson

A mature Christian is a safe person

They aren’t going to beat you up.

greedy of filthy lucre – aischrokerdes (“filthy” + “gain”) – eager for base gain, greedy for money

covetous – aphilarguros – not loving money, not avaricious

Lesson

A mature Christian isn’t living for money

:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

house – oikos – a house; an inhabited house, home; the inmates of a house, all the persons forming one family, a household

well – kalos – beautifully, finely, excellently, well; rightly, so that there shall be no room for blame, well, truly; excellently, nobly, commendably

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

subjection – hupotage – the act of subjecting; obedience, subjection

gravity – semnotes – the characteristic of a thing or person which entitles to reverence and respect (NIV), dignity (NAS), majesty, sanctity; honour, purity

Lesson

A mature Christian has his family in order

I’ve seen some people look at this as if the dad ought to be tough and always be cracking the whip at home.  But I don’t see that being a good description of the word “well” (kalos) here.  Instead, I think this requires a balance of love and discipline.

:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

care – epimeleomai – to take care of a person or thing

Lesson

The church should be like a family

Ideally, we ought to be getting along like one big family.  A healthy, happy family that is.

If you can get the knack of taking care of your family, you ought to be able to handle taking care of the church.

Lesson

Faithfulness starts where you’re at

It’s easy to want to skip a couple of steps along the way.  We can see the goal where we want to be and feel like we can just skip the step we’re on.

Illustration

The danger at skipping steps.  I’ve learned the hard way that it pays to stop and read the instructions.  We’re not too far away from Christmas, when some of us will be spending Christmas day assembling all the new toys our kids have received.  I used to rush and just snap pieces together to look like the pictures on the boxes, until one year I started snapping the wrong pieces in place, and I couldn’t undo what I had done without breaking the toy.  It pays to take the little bit of time to read the instructions and do things one step at a time.

We might think that we can handle certain responsibilities in positions we would like to have.  But the question first is, am I handling the responsibilities I already have?  Am I demonstrating that I can be responsible with what I’m already entrusted with?

Jesus said,

(Luke 16:10-12 NLT)  "Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities. {11} And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? {12} And if you are not faithful with other people's money, why should you be trusted with money of your own?

:6 Not a novice

novice – neophutos – newly planted; a new convert, neophyte (one who has recently become a Christian)

Lesson

A mature Christian has stood the test of time

Maturity takes time.

I know that some people mature faster than others, but even with “fast growers”, maturity doesn’t happen overnight.

A mature Christian is one who has withstood the test of time.

The test isn’t whether or not you’ve withstood temptation for ten days, but whether you’ve withstood it for ten years.

:6  lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

lifted up with pride – 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

fall into – empipto – to fall into; to fall among robbers; fall into one’s power

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

Lesson

A mature Christian stays humble

:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

report – marturia – a testifying; what one testifies, testimony, i.e. before a judge

good – kalos – beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable; beautiful to look at, shapely, magnificent; good, excellent in its nature and characteristics, and therefore well adapted to its ends

reproach – oneidismos – a reproach; from oneidizo – to reproach, upbraid, revile

fall into – empipto – to fall into; to fall among robbers; fall into one’s power

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; of a sudden and unexpected deadly peril; of the allurements and seductions of sin; the allurements to sin by which the devil holds one bound; the snares of love

Lesson

A mature Christian has a good reputation in the world

:8-  Deacons

:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

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

The first “deacons” in the early church were a group of men who were chosen to help out the apostles.

When the church began to grow rapidly, the apostles couldn’t keep up with the needs of the church.  The apostles found themselves neglecting the things that were most important (teaching and prayer), and were getting caught up in some of the various needs of the church.

(Acts 6:2-4 NLT)  So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. "We apostles should spend our time preaching and teaching the word of God, not administering a food program," they said. {3} "Now look around among yourselves, friends, and select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. We will put them in charge of this business. {4} Then we can spend our time in prayer and preaching and teaching the word."

The first set of deacons took care of the ministry that fed the widows in the church.  These same guys went on to become preachers and evangelists.   But they started off as “servants”, as “deacons”.

Do we have “deacons” at Calvary Chapel?

I think we do, but we just don’t give them the title.  To me, the “deacons” are the people who are doing many of the various ministries around the church, from teaching Sunday School, to running the sound system, making tapes, ushering, cleaning the bathrooms, doing the accounting, leading worship, etc., etc., etc.

grave – semnos – august, venerable, reverend; to be venerated for character, honourable; of persons; of deeds

doubletongued – dilogos – saying the same thing twice, repeating; double tongued, double in speech, saying one thing with one person another with another (with the intent to deceive)

given to – prosecho – to bring to, bring near; 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; to be given or addicted to

greedy of filthy lucre – aischrokerdes – eager for base gain, greedy for money.  The same word was used for the elders (1Tim. 3:3).

:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

holding – echo – to have, i.e. to hold; to hold one’s self to a thing, to lay hold of a thing, to adhere or cling to

mystery – musterion – hidden thing, secret, mystery

pure – katharos – clean, pure; blameless, innocent; unstained with the guilt of anything

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

(1 Tim 3:9 NLT)  They must be committed to the revealed truths of the Christian faith and must live with a clear conscience.

:10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

be proved – dokimazo – to test, examine, prove, scrutinise (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals; to recognise as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy

let them use the office of a deacon – diakoneo – to be a servant, attendant, domestic, to serve, wait upon.  We could translate this, “let them deacon”.

blameless – anegkletos – that cannot be called into account, unreproveable, unaccused, blameless; designates one against whom there is no accusation, implying not acquittal of a charge, but that no charge has been made.

Lesson

Tested leadership

I think there is value to letting people be “tested” before allowing them to get too far in leadership.

Timothy himself had been tested.  Paul wrote to the Philippians to get them to accept ministry from him:

(Phil 2:22 NASB)  But you know of his proven worth that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father.

Illustration

The Indian Chief  

An Australian travel writer touring Canada was checking out of the Spokane Hilton, and as he paid his bill to the manager, he asked, “By the way, what’s with the Indian chief sitting in the lobby?  He’s been there ever since I arrived.”     “Oh that’s ‘Big Chief Forget-me Not’,” said the manager.  “The hotel is built on an Indian reservation, and part of the agreement is to allow the chief free use of the premises for the rest of his life.  He is known as ‘Big Chief Forget-me Not’ because of his phenomenal memory.  He is 92 and can remember the slightest detail of his life.”     The travel writer took this in, and as he was waiting for his cab decided to put the chief’s memory to the test. “’ello, mate!” said the Aussie, receiving only a slight nod in return. “What did you have for breakfast on your 21^st birthday?”     “Eggs,” was the chief’s instant reply, without even looking up, and indeed the Aussie was impressed. He went off on his travel writing itinerary, right across to the east coast and back, telling others of Big Chief Forget-me Not’s great memory.   One local noted to him that “How!” was a more appropriate greeting for an Indian chief than “ello mate” On his return to the Spokane Hilton, six months later,  he was surprised to see ‘Big Chief Forget-me Not’ still sitting in the lobby, fully occupied with whittling away on a stick.  But, remembering his friends advice he greeted Chief Forget-me Not in the more appropiate fashion.     “How?” said the Aussie.     “Scrambled,” said the Chief.

:11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

wives – gune – a woman of any age, whether a virgin, or married, or a widow; a wife; of a betrothed woman

Some take this to be a description of “deaconesses” instead of the wives of the deacons.

grave – semnos – august, venerable, reverend; to be venerated for character, honourable; of persons; of deeds

slanderers – diabolos – prone to slander, slanderous, accusing falsely; a calumniator, false accuser, slanderer,; metaph. applied to a man who, by opposing the cause of God, may be said to act the part of the devil or to side with him.  This is the same word that is often translated “devil”.

sober – nephaleos – sober, temperate; abstaining from wine, either entirely or at least from its immoderate use; of things free from all wine, as vessels, offerings

faithful – pistos – trusty, faithful; of persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of official duties; one who kept his plighted faith, worthy of trust; that can be relied on

:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

husbands of one wife – “one wife men”, same as in 1Tim. 3:2.

ruling – proistemi – to set or place before; to set over; to be over, to superintend, preside over; to be a protector or guardian; to give aid; to care for, give attention to

:13 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.

used the office of a deacon – diakoneo – to be a servant, attendant, domestic, to serve, wait upon.  “they that have deaconed”

well – kalos – beautifully, finely, excellently, well; rightly, so that there shall be no room for blame, well, truly; excellently, nobly, commendably

degree – bathmos – threshold, step; of a grade of dignity and wholesome influence in the church

purchase – peripoieomai – to make to remain over; to reserve, to leave or keep safe, lay by; to preserve for one’s self; to get for one’s self, purchase

boldness – parrhesia – freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech; free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance

(1 Tim 3:13 NLT)  Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

(1 Tim 3:13 NASB)  For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

:14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:

:15 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.

tarry – braduno – to delay, be slow; to render slowly, retard; to be long, to tarry, loiter

behave – anastrepho – to turn upside down; sojourn, dwell in a place; metaph. to conduct one’s self, behave one’s self, live

pillar – stulos – a pillar; a column; a prop or support

ground – hedraioma – a stay, prop, support

Proper conduct of the church’s leadership is important to the church being a support for the truth.

Who wants to listen to a church when the leaders’ lives are all goofed up?

: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.

without controversy – homologoumenos – by consent of all, confessedly, without controversy

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

was manifest – phaneroo – to make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown, to manifest, whether by words, or deeds, or in any other way

in the flesh – God revealed Himself in human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ.

justified – dikaioo – to render righteous or such he ought to be; to show, exhibit, evince, one to be righteous, such as he is and wishes himself to be considered; to declare, pronounce, one to be just, righteous, or such as he ought to be

seen – optanomai – to look at, behold; to allow one’s self to be seen, to appear

preached – kerusso – to be a herald, to officiate as a herald; to publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done

Because of the arrangement of the words and their rhythm, It is thought that Paul may have written what were the words to an early Christian hymn, describing the gospel.