1 Timothy 1

 

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

NOTES FROM TUESDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2023

1 TIMOTHY 1 VERSES 1 AND 2

Timothy was a native of Lystra, a Roman colony in the province of Galatia.  His father was a Gentile and his mother and grandmother were Jewish.  Acts 16 verse 1.  As a result of Paul’s ministry in Lystra his mother and grandmother trusted the Lord as Saviour which meant Timothy was grounded in the scriptures from a child.  It was on Paul’s second missionary journey when Paul returned to Lystra that he met Timothy.  He impressed him so much that he decided to take him along with him.  They enjoyed a close relationship so much that he was like a father to Timothy.  Timothy went on to serve as Paul’s representative in the early churches.  Timothy was a young man prone to be timid and fearful.  Paul informed him “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  Paul urged him to be strong. Philippians 2 verse 22.   He was reminded not to neglect the spiritual gift given to him.  He was not to be ashamed to speak boldly for the gospel.  He advised him to take a little wine for his stomach sake.  It may have been nerve related.  Timothy was conscious of his age and lack of maturity.  Paul encouraged him to let no one look down on him because of his age and youthfulness.  It is hard to discover a clear cut outline to the epistle.  Paul seems to move from one issue to another throughout the epistle.  There is much material in this epistle for us to learn and apply to our own lives.

 

The commission he is said to fulfil – verse 1 “Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ.”  At the outset of the letter Paul gives a clear description of his occupation.  What does it mean by the word “apostle” – sent one.  Paul was simply stating he had been appointed to missionary work by the Lord.  It is God who separates out his servants and sends them forth.  He didn’t wake up and say “I am going to be a missionary one day.”  He didn’t choose the ministry as a livelihood nor was he sent by man.  He was called by God to teach, preach and suffer for the gospel.  As Timothy read these opening words “a servant of God” he knew he must be sent forth by God.  What a clear lesson for all who are considering full time service for the Lord.  They must make sure the Lord has placed a hand on their lives.  Called by God, sent one.  The commentator Matthew Henry said “none are allowed to go forth for God but those who are sent by him.”  A great encouragement to Timothy.  He was also sent.  He was a pastor in the church in Ephesus.  Timothy was doing what the Lord wanted him to do in the place where God wanted him to be.  It is important that God’s servants are doing what the Lord wants them to do and are in the place where God wants them to be in.  There is also a warning to Timothy.  His opponents, particularly those within the church who were giving him trouble need to remember that their pastor was there because God put him there.  Dear help any man in or outside contemplating touching the Lord’s anointed. There were those in the past who tried to remove the Lord’s sent one and make life difficult for them but the Lord mysteriously removed them.  “Touch not mine anointed and do my prophets no harm.” (Psalm 105 verse 15)  So the commission – “Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ”, a sent one.

 

Secondly, the command he had to obey – “by the commandment of God our Saviour.”  God always has his instructions for his people to follow.  Not for the believers deconstruction but for their good and benefit.  To reveal God’s plan.  When God has a plan for a believer’s life he will give a clear command that will be revealed.  God does not leave them in the dark as far as his will and plan is concerned.  Paul was called to be an apostle.  Both Timothy and Paul received a royal commission by the commandment of God our Saviour.  The master has a plan for every believers life.  He reveals it through his commands – Jeremiah 29 verse 11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”  Not only reminding Timothy that God’s thoughts for him are revealed through his commands but he wanted to remind him of the fulfilment of God’s plan.  Paul had to be willing to obey the command and fulfilment of God’s plan in his life.  Paul was always committed to do his master’ bidding.  God gives the command and then he waits for a willing response.  The Almighty has many commands for his people today, for he has great plans for his people but how many are willing, how many believers are willing to fulfil God’s plan in their lives?  John 5 verse 3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments and his commandments are not grievous.”

 

Thirdly, the companionship.  What Paul and Timothy had in common, shared interests and experiences.  “Unto Timothy my own son in the faith.”  Manifested same principles, spiritual and moral qualities as Paul.  It is important to keep company with other believers who are of a like mind, to be often found in the presence of those with the same moral and spiritual qualities.  To see the things as God sees them.  To work in harmony.  One common goal.  Philippians 2 verse 2 “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”  As Paul brings the opening remarks to a conclusion he says “grace, mercy and peace from God out Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” Grace means all the divine resources needed for the Christian life and service.  The times in the Christian life and service when the going gets tough. Timothy would realise that certain needs would have to be met, there were trials to face but God said “my grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12 verse 9).   God’s mercy – compassionate, care and protection for the need.  Sheep are prone to wander off from the shepherds care.  He carries and protects them, brings them back to the fold.  Timothy was tempted to fail and give up but the Lord cared for him and protected him.  God’s peace – an inner calm that comes from the Lord.  When the child of God leans on the Lord they will know the peace of God. 

 

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase
To added affliction He addeth His mercy
To multiplied trials His multiplied peace

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure
His pow'r has no boundary known unto men
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again

 

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2023

1 TIMOTHY 1 VERSES 1 – 4

When we looked at the commission, the command and companionship at the outset of our study, we noted Paul’s occupation – sent one – “apostle of Jesus Christ”.  He was sent forth by the command of God.  Paul and Timothy worked well together.  They had a shared interest, a common course.  Timothy was his “son in the faith”.  They had a great companionship. 

Paul goes on to charge young Timothy.  He gave him much practical advice regarding the problems in the church.  In this instance it was false teaching.  Paul wanted Timothy to take a firm stand against all teaching that was contrary to God’s word.  We want to think of the loss of truth.  Paul’s greatest concern was losing the truth of scripture.  Paul told Timothy to stay in Ephesus - verse 3.  Paul and Timothy had been labouring there together at one time.  They had a common cause, a goal.  The language Paul uses here tells us he was compelled to leave Ephesus.  He was driven out of Ephesus. Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen caused a riot – Acts 20 verse 1 “And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.”  Whatever happened it did not affect Timothy in any way.  He was able to remain and continue on in the work.  Even though Paul was not able to be present in the work he now writes to him.  He charges him with the responsibility of exposing those not following and teaching the scriptures – verse 3.  It was more than a single direction or command, it was a continuous instruction.  This charge to Timothy would be ongoing.  Timothy had to maintain a long campaign against false teaching.  His standing for the truth was a never ending commission.  Those who were teaching false doctrine may have been numerous.  They embraced many errors.  They may have had much belief in their teaching, that it was correct.  It required much time and effort.  What a charge.  Teach no other doctrine other than that taught by the apostles.  It is a continuous task to stand against false teaching.  It is a long term calling.  How can we stand up for the truth and expose falsehood today, to keep it outside the door of the church?  By taking a continuous stand and taking a continuous charge.  Speaking the truth and living before others continually.  Do not merely speak the truth but live it openly and honestly with one another.  Be sincere.

The charge was extended in verse 4 – “neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies”.  Commentators believe the word “fables” refers to superstitions that were started up by the Jewish rabbis.  Some of the Jews living in Ephesus came from Jerusalem and were still holding onto these superstitions.  There are many silly superstitions in our land today, especially from educated people who live by them.  They are not of the Lord.  Paul was telling Timothy to tell the people to pay no attention to such nonsense.  The child of God is not to believe in such.  “Superstition is godless religion.”  There is also the mention of genealogies.  Jewish teaching and tradition kept careful records that distinguished their tribes.  The Messiah came and therefore distinction was useless, pointless.  Paul feared Jewish converts would continue with these Jewish traditions.  To keep the record of blood and birth – what would it do?  It would cause division.  “which minister questions”.  We could apply it to our own generation and even into the church.  We live in a culture steeped in tradition.  There is nothing wrong with that but when it comes into the church and causes a great deal of controversy and division then there are problems.  We can be so set in our ways and methods.  How we do things.  When someone suggests something new the cry goes up “we cannot be doing that, we have done it that way for 40/50 years, we cannot change our tradition.”  It causes a great amount of controversy and division if allowed to.  “The devil falls in when the saints fall out.”  This is the point – we can be so traditional in our ways that we lose out on the spiritual.  Will our ways settle permanent truth?  Will they bring salvation to a precious soul?  Will they build us up in our faith?  That was the danger.  Do things never produce edification in the faith?  Paul urges them to devote themselves to the great truth of the Christian faith.  They will not divide the people of God.  They will bless and inspire faith.  God’s plan of redemption was never meant to stir up doubts and disputes among us, rather it was meant to produce faith in the heart and minds of men.  May we ever provoke everyone to love and good works – Hebrews 10 verse 24.

Paul’s charge to Timothy – stand for truth, expose falsehood.  The effective way of standing against false doctrine is by speaking truth to others and living the truth before others.  He also charged him to not pay heed to fables and endless genealogies.  So many are taken up with tradition.  It ought not to be.  Superstition is found nowhere in the scriptures.  Tradition can cause great division if allowed.