1Timothy 1:1-2 ¶ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
Research indicates that the letters to Timothy and Titus were probably the last three letters written by the Apostle Paul. Paul started several of his letters by declaring himself an apostle according to the will or by the command of God (2Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians and 2Timothy).
Paul identifies Timothy as “my own son in the faith,” which seems to be declaring that he had led Timothy to the Lord and/or had served as his spiritual father in supervising his spiritual growth. Many of Paul’s letters make reference to Timothy’s ministry alongside Paul and of his confidence in this young man’s capabilities and sincerity of heart in ministry.
Paul takes every opportunity to declare Jesus Christ as our “Savior” and “Lord.” I think this stems from an overwhelming heart of love and gratitude at being given the opportunity to serve the Lord so publicly after having so publicly and zealously denying Jesus as Lord and persecuting those that had accepted Him as such. It was interesting to me that Paul referenced “God” as Savior, a term usually connected more with Jesus. In doing a word search, I found that this seemed to be unique to Paul and Jude in the New Testament, but was used several times in the Old Testament in 2Samuel, Psalms, Isaiah and Hosea. It was probably a natural thought from a former Pharisee who was so well versed in the Old Testament scriptures.
“our hope” – The wording is clear that the hope being referenced is a confident expectation in God as declared in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. What is that hope? Deliverance from this world of sin to enjoy eternal life in the presence of God. The Greek also describes this “hope” as pleasurable anticipation. I often wonder how many in the church today actually look forward with pleasure to being in the presence of the Lord. I know most Christians would say that they are looking forward to it, but are we really anticipating that future with pleasure? How many of us would actually prefer that the Lord delay that time for a while due to unfulfilled desires associated with our current life—marriage, starting a family, having grandchildren, concerns about unsaved loved ones, etc.?
This greeting of grace, mercy and peace is unique to Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus; his usual greeting is grace and peace. Grace is a reference to “the divine influence on one’s heart and its reflection in one’s life.” God’s grace is what brings about one’s salvation. The peace of God is reference to possessing a spirit of rest and contentment in the service to which God has called one. I tend to think that he added “mercy” to these letters because it is a reference to the need for compassion that is so necessary to one in the position of pastor. Every Christian should have a heart of mercy toward his fellow man, but pastors need an extra dose of this character trait toward their flock. I believe that Paul is reminding Timothy that just as God has blessed him, he should be willing to bless others with the same heart of compassion. Webster defines this compassion as “suffering with another; a sensation of sorrow excited by the distress or misfortunes of another; pity; commiseration.” Many times the most effective ministry is simply coming alongside another in his/her suffering.
Wuest quoting Trench makes a thought-provoking observation: “In the Divine Mind, and in the order of our salvation, as conceived therein, the mercy precedes the grace: God so loved the world with a pitying love (herein was the mercy), that He gave His only begotten Son (herein is the grace), that the world through Him might be saved. But in the order of the manifestation of God’s purposes in salvation, the grace must go before and make way for the mercy.”
Again, it stands out to me that the source of these blessings is “God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” Scripture everywhere describes them as one and the same, yet separate entities. No, I don’t understand it, but I believe it in faith.
1Timothy 1:3-4 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, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
Paul left Ephesus to go and minister in Macedonia and left Timothy in Ephesus with the designated authority to refute false teachers who were trying to infiltrate the church. These false teachers were evidently disputing Paul’s instruction by using well-known myths and genealogical histories that would pose questions in the hearts of the believers. Timothy’s role was to strengthen their faith by continued instruction in the truth as revealed by God in scripture and through his chosen apostles.
Jamieson, Faucett and Brown identified these false teachers as those who claimed to be able to see deeper mysteries than others were able see in the scripture. David Guzik added the following insight: “Ancient Jewish writings have been discovered, which delve into the most complex genealogies, connecting them with wild speculations about spiritual mysteries.”
Whatever message these false teachers were presenting, it was obviously contrary to the word of God; it was teaching rooted in the thoughts and ideas of men. I couldn’t help but make application to false teachings that challenge God’s word today. The teaching of Islam is based on writings produced by a man name Mohammed that lived in Arabia from 570-632 AD. The Mormon religion is founded on the teachings introduced in America by a man named Joseph Smith in the late 1820’s. Even within the recognized “church” are those that seek to adulterate the word of God by adding to, taking away from, or manipulating its truth to proclaim a message that fits their own ideas and purposes. Scripture is very clear in its warnings against such actions.
Proverbs 30:5-6 “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”
Revelation 22:18 “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:”
1Timothy 1:5-7 ¶ Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
“vain jangling” = useless talk
Paul is emphasizing the importance of keeping one’s focus on the word of God. Those who invest their time and energy in learning God’s word and obeying its instruction will have their lives changed in the process. They will learn to love one another with a pure heart, with no ulterior motives. Submission and obedience to the word of God results in a good conscience and promotes a sincere faith. Those who turn their focus to the thoughts of men rather than the word of God are opening themselves up to deception and meaningless talk.
I can’t help but think of the so-called bible scholars that the media spotlight that position themselves as experts in understanding what God “really meant” by what is said in scripture or posit that the scripture is not reliable. They want to be known as men of spiritual insight, but they have no real understanding of the truth. They speak with confidence and authority in the hopes that others will not recognize their lies and deceit. I think some do so knowingly in order to make a profit; others, I think, have been deceived into accepting the wisdom of man over the wisdom of God as declared in His word. I couldn’t help but think of the words of Solomon.
Proverbs 10:19 “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.”
It seems as though I am hearing more and more about churches and small groups investing their time and energy in the studies of books by “Christian” authors. Personally, I am very grateful to have the writings of wonderful men and women of God to enhance my study of scripture; but we need to be careful to monitor the time invested in such reading against the time spent in scripture. The words of men are only of benefit when in support of the teaching of God’s word. If you have not spent time familiarizing yourself with the scripture, then you have no standard from which to discern the truth or benefit of the writings of men. The Bereans were commended for testing what Paul taught against the truth of God’s word.
Acts 17:10-11 “And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
1Timothy 1:8-11 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 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, 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; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
I believe in context that the “law” being referenced is the law of God as revealed by Moses. It was God’s law that these false teachers were claiming to know and instruct. The implication was that these men were not using it legitimately (from the Greek for lawfully) as God intended for good. As a former Pharisee, Paul was well aware of the terrible results of teaching a corruption of scripture.
A righteous man, one who worships God and is innocent in character, doesn’t need the law because he does what is right. Problem is that there are no righteous men.
Romans 3:10 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one….”
The law was given to help sinners recognize their sin and their need for forgiveness—to understand what is pleasing to God, to discern right from wrong and to understand that there are consequences for wrongdoing. The list begins with a reference to the lawless and disobedient (purposeful rejection of the law) and expands to include murderers, fornicators, homosexuals, kidnappers (e.g., the curse today of human trafficking), liars and any other actions that might be practiced from a corrupted teaching of God’s law. The law was necessary for man to recognize his need for a Savior.
Romans 3:20 “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”
Galatians 3:24 “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”
This teaching is greatly needed in the “church” today. More and more so-called pastors are presenting a corrupted version of the word of God so as to be politically correct and increase their numbers and their financial coffers. What they are actually doing is paving the way to destruction for their followers who are made comfortable in their sin and aren’t taught to recognize their sin and their need for repentance.
Paul is exhorting Timothy to be careful to stick to the “glorious gospel of the blessed God” which Christ had commissioned him to preach. That good news includes the whole of God’s word, but Paul was very clear in declaring the heart of the gospel in his letter to the Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved….For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures….”
The beautiful truth is that once one accepts God’s gift of salvation by faith, he/she is clothed in the righteousness of Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
As I was reading through this section again, it stood out to me that Paul recognized that the gospel had been entrusted to him. He considered it a valuable possession that he was privileged to declare boldly and truthfully. It hit me that we have been entrusted with that privilege just as surely as Paul.
Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
1Timothy 1:12-13 ¶ And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
Paul takes every opportunity to praise God for the transformation He brought about in his life. He is so thankful that God recognized him as one who would be faithful to ministering the truth about the Savior and the word of God once he became aware of his need to repent and commit his life to the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul is quick to acknowledge his so very public sin. He understands that God doesn’t hold the sin of the unbeliever against him when it comes to serving Him as a believer. Once we are saved the slate is clean, and the Lord expects His children to honor and obey Him.
John 14:15, 21 “If ye love me, keep my commandments….He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”
Paul also recognized that he could not be successful in ministry in his own strength; he knew that he had been empowered by the Lord Jesus through the Holy Spirit to be able to serve Him successfully in spite of the troubles and persecution he encountered along the way. This empowerment is available to every believer.
Ephesians 3:14-16 “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man….”
Colossians 1:9-11 “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness….”
1Timothy 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
I love the wording of the NLT for this verse: Oh, how kind and gracious the Lord was! He filled me completely with faith and the love of Christ Jesus.
The Greek entry for “exceeding abundant” stated to “superabound.” God’s provision for us always exceeds what we actually need. That is because He has provided for His children by giving them His Holy Spirit who possesses the fullness of His power and authority. We are only limited according to the limit of submission we yield to Him and the trust we place in Him to provide for our need.
This is a truth I continue to learn slowly but surely. The more opportunities I give Him to show up in my life as I seek to trust Him in faith and obedience in spite of perceived limitations, the more my faith is built as He responds to that step of faith with His provision. I am always aware that His provision may not be in the time or manner that I expect, but it is sure; and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am confident He knows what is needed in my life to make me the servant He would have me be, and I am committed to trusting Him in spite of my lack of understanding of His ways.
1Timothy 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.
At this point Paul emphasizes the gospel in a nutshell. Christ Jesus came into the world to provide salvation for sinners-------and that includes every person on planet earth.
Ecclesiastes 7:20 “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.”
Romans 3:10 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God….”
Romans 5:12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned….”
1 Timothy 2:3–4 “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
Paul truly felt that he must be the worst sinner to have ever lived since he had been such a blasphemer of the Lord Jesus Christ and had violently persecuted those that had placed their faith in Jesus Christ before his Damascus Road experience. His point being—If He can save me, He can save anyone.
It breaks my heart to see so many so-called preachers of the word try to avoid identifying sin. If they don’t help people to understand that they are sinners in need of a Savior, they are basically sending them on their way to hell; and they will have to answer to God as to why they didn’t give them the truth.
1Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
This verse is an exclamation to my comment on the previous verse—If God could save Paul, no one is beyond His forgiveness. If God didn’t give up on Paul, He is not going to give up on any sinner that is foreknown as His since before the foundation of the world. Paul considered himself as a very obvious example of the change that God’s amazing love and grace can work in the life of the worst of sinners.
To believe on Christ Jesus is to be persuaded of the truth of Who He Is—God in flesh, Son of God, Savior, and Creator. To believe on Christ as Savior is to possess eternal life, life in the presence of God that will never end.
1Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
As Paul thinks about God’s amazing love and mercy toward him, he can’t help but break out in praise. He identifies Him as the eternal King—past, present and future—the completely sovereign Supreme God. He recognizes God as immortal, never subject to corruption or decay. He declares Him as invisible to us currently. Identifying Him as the only wise God is a statement of direct contrast to all the false gods of the heathen; He alone is God, a being of love, intelligence, power and authority. Because of who He Is, He deserves to be honored, glorified and worshipped forever. “Amen” is the verbal exclamation point to the truth he has just expressed.
1Timothy 1:18-20 ¶ 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; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Paul is giving Timothy his marching orders so to speak as his spiritual overseer. It’s interesting that he makes mention of prophecies that were spoken concerning Timothy’s faithfulness and lack of guile as part of God’s army of believers. I think this is speaking of a time of being commissioned for ministry with the expectation that he would be a faithful and dependable servant to the Lord as referenced in chapter 4.
1 Timothy 4:14 “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.”
This would be similar to the type of the commission that Paul and Barnabas had received. The Holy Spirit would have had to have spoken or prophesied through an individual.
Acts 13:1-3 “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. 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. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
As I read through these verses several times, it seems to me that Hymenaeus and Alexander had received similar commissions of service, but had not lived up to the expectation of that commission. Paul is warning Timothy of the consequences of allowing his faith to falter to the point that he could no longer said to be serving God with good conscience. Paul doesn’t beat around the bush; he publicly identifies those who were not serving according to the faith with which they were entrusted. Their lack of faithfulness and commitment to the truth had resulted in “shipwreck” or great destruction to the ministry. Paul indicates that he is going to let them suffer the consequences of their actions through the attack of Satan, the accuser of the brethren, so that they can learn from their experience. This would seem to be a statement of some type of church discipline. It seems as though their ministry had resulted in blasphemy before the Lord since he wants them to learn not to blaspheme. It in no way sounds like he has written them off forever.
I think this is a very instructive passage that is needful to be heard today. It seems that there are many in the ministry today that are not holding fast in faith to the truth of God’s word and/or serving with a good conscience or moral discernment. Many are perverting the truth of God’s word to the point that it can rightfully be called blasphemy. It is important to note that Paul was not hesitant to identify this type of person by name, but it is obvious that his heart in doing so was: 1) to guard against their heresy being allowed to spread in the body of believers, and 2) to put them in a position that would result in their repentance and restoration. I must admit that I respect those who are willing to identify those who are corrupting the truth of God’s word; if they aren’t identified, then the unsuspecting are more likely to fall victim to their blasphemous teaching. If those who are respected in ministry refuse to identify those who can no longer be trusted as to their ministry, their teaching is assumed to be OK. When ministers of the gospel have become shipwrecks in the ministry, they need to be called out. This must be done with a heart of wanting to produce repentance and restoration, not from a position of pride or using an attitude seeming to damn them to hell.
Because I know that our salvation is a work of God that He will complete…
Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”
…I know that you can’t “lose” your salvation. Paul seems to be speaking from the position that these two men are believers that need to repent. In the end, only God knows their hearts. If they never showed repentance, it is clear that they never possessed true saving faith. John states it this way:
1 John 2:18-19 “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”
I think Paul’s words to Titus also provide clarification.
Titus 1:15-16 “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”
There are those that profess to know God but prove that they don’t by their actions. Christ also declared this truth.
Matthew 7:21-23 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
These false professors were obviously acting with a motive to glorify self, not from a heart of sincere obedience to God.
I almost missed the phrases “war a good warfare.” The believer is ever in a battle against the spiritual forces of evil.
Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
The only way we can hope to gain victory in that war is to be equipped with the armor of God.
Ephesians 6:14–17 “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God….”
1Timothy 2:1-2 ¶ I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
I liked the wording of the NLT for verse 1: “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God’s mercy upon them, and give thanks.”
Paul then makes special note that we should be sure to pray for those in authority over us so that they might have the wisdom to rule so as to allow us to lead our lives peaceably and honestly in honor to the Lord.
I liked Wuest’s definitions on “quiet” and “honesty” - “Peaceable is tranquillity arising from within.” Honesty is a reference to “exhibiting a dignity which arises from moral elevation.”
Supplication speaks of specific personal prayer requests. Prayers included supplication with the thought of earnestness and worshipping God in the process. Intercession seems to be focusing on bringing one into reconciliation with God, such as praying for unsaved loved ones to have their hearts humbled and that they turn to God in faith and repentance. Giving thanks would involve thanksgiving for answered prayer, for blessings, and for showing gratitude for the ones that God has placed in our lives as vessels of His love as well as the opportunities He gives us to be those vessels of His love in the lives of others.
I think the body of believers in America today should be storming the heavens with earnest prayer regarding our leaders. It seems as though we are well on our way to soon finding ourselves in the position of facing persecution for public declaration of the truth of God’s word.
In light of all that is happening in America today (January 2020), I agree with the sentiments expressed by MacDonal in his Believer’s Bible Commentary: “A Christian should not engage in revolution or in violence against the government. He may simply refuse to obey any order that is contrary to the word of God and then quietly and submissively take the punishment.”
1Timothy 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Paul is basically saying that it pleases God for us to care about the spiritual destiny of our fellowman as He does. Paul states unequivocally that God desires ALL men to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth. God’s will in this instance is a reflection of His heart’s desire for intimate fellowship with each individual. Though He is sovereign, He didn’t create us as robots. He created us in His image and gave us the privilege of choice as to whether or not we would accept Him as the authority in and love of our life. True love in relationship is a matter of choice.
This is another one of those verses that I just don’t understand how people can ignore and try to say that God has created some men to salvation and others to damnation. There are so many verses that reiterate the truth that man has the ability to choose whom he will serve.
Ezekiel 18:23 “Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?”
Ezekiel 18:32 “For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.”
John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
Acts 2:21 “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans 5:18 “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”
2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
1Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Much to the dismay of and in spite of the claim of so many today, there is only one true God and only one person who can reconcile us in relationship to God—the human, the man Christ Jesus.
John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
The phrase “one God” connects with the praise that Paul offered in verse 17 of chapter one in reference to “the only wise God.” There is only one rational, thinking, creative sovereign Almighty Being in the universe. He has identified Himself has YHWH, or I AM THAT I AM, the self-existent eternal God.
Exodus 3:13-14 “And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM….”
I love the places in Isaiah where God declares Himself as the one and only. Either you accept God’s word as truth or not; there is no room for compromise.
Isaiah 43:10 & 13 “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me…..Yea, before the day was I am he….”
Isaiah 44:6 “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.”
Isaiah 45:11-12 “Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.”
Isaiah 45:22 “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.”
Isaiah 46:8-10 “Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:”
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came willingly to pay the ransom necessary to redeem us back to God. It is also important to recognize that Jesus became human; He was God in flesh. Only a perfect human could qualify as the sacrifice demanded by our sin; only God in flesh could live so as to qualify as that sacrifice.
John 1:1 & 14 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God….And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 10:14-15 & 18 “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep….No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”
Philippians 2:5-8 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
The Greek for no reputation emphasizes the truth that He emptied Himself; He lived in the flesh as a man; He lived in dependence upon the Spirit—just as we are supposed to. He didn’t cease being God; He just chose to live with the limitations of a man, albeit a sinless man indwelt by the Spirit—just as Adam was originally created and intended to live.
I think the CJB gave the best understanding of the last phrase of verse 6: “…thus providing testimony to God’s purpose at just the right time.” God’s plan was in place before the foundation of the world. He determined the exact time that His Son would come to provide redemption for mankind in accordance with that plan, a plan that was foretold throughout scripture.
Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”
Isaiah 53:4-6 “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Daniel 9:25-26 “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself:”
Isaiah 9:6-7 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
Matthew 1:21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
1Timothy 2:7 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.
“Whereunto” = In reference to the truth of the previous verses
Paul was proud to have been chosen by God to spread the gospel message to the Gentiles. He evidently faced accusation that he had declared himself an apostle, but he emphasized that his commission was from the Lord. The message he declared was trustworthy and truthful. He also emphasized this truth in his letter to the Ephesians.
Ephesians 3:2-3 & 8 “If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery….Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ….”
1Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
As we continue to read to the end of the chapter, it seems to be making application to appropriate conduct in the joint body of believers. Paul first addresses the attitude of the heart that should accompany prayer. One should be able to pray and worship with hands that can be lifted as “holy” hands, hands that represent the person as living a life of purity and free of defilement before the Lord. I think this is saying that we should prepare our hearts to join in the prayer and worship of the assembly of believers. We should ensure that our sins are confessed and our hearts are clean.
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
When I first started attending Calvary Chapel, the lifting of hands in worship was foreign to me. I have learned it to be a natural response of praise and worship before the Father. The precedent was established in the Old Testament scriptures. Solomon prayed with lifted in hands as he dedicated the temple and the King David referenced it as a natural attitude of prayer and worship.
1 Kings 8:22 “And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven….”
Psalms 141:2 “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.”
In looking at the Greek, the word for “men” is specific to the male gender. This fits in with the order of authority established by God. It is in no way a statement regarding the inferiority of women. It just gives public evidence of submission to the will of God. Paul was very clear in this instruction in his letter to the Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.”
Note that the women are to be under obedience. This allows for their service in the church as authorized by the leadership. This principle is emphasized in verse 12; the woman is not to “usurp authority over the man.” Paul assumed the participation of women in the assembly in his letter to the Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 11:4-5 “Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.”
This is a hard truth to swallow for many in the “church” today in our culture of the liberated woman. Women pastors are becoming the norm, and I frankly believe that is not according to God’s will. Scripture is clear that God has used women in leadership positions and in the prophetic ministry—e.g., Miriam (Exodus 15), Deborah (Judges 4), Huldah (2Kings 22), Isaiah’s wife (Isaiah 8), and Anna (Luke 2).
Scripture is also clear that women can serve as teachers.
Acts 18:24-26 “And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.”
The key seems to be that their teaching in the public assembly of the church is to be to the women and children.
Titus 2:3-5 “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”
1Timothy 2:9-10 ¶ 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; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
“In like manner” = Continuing in context, I believe the specific application is regarding the public assembly of the body of believers.
“shamefacedness” = modesty, reverence
“sobriety” = soundness of mind
Women should dress in a way appropriate to worship; their goal should not be to call attention to themselves. They should be more concerned with having a reputation for their “good works” before the Lord than in their appearance. The admonition seems to be against the showy and extravagant; it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t want to look as nice as possible. Either extreme of appearance is a distraction in the joint assembly. When we approach the LORD in public worship, it should be with purpose, modesty and a desire to reverence God.
1Timothy 2:11-12 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
Again, I think it is important to note that in context this instruction applies to the public assembly of believers. I have never felt muzzled in the church. Leadership has always provided open doors for ministry under the authority of the pastor. I have been involved in public church ministry since my teen years. I have sung in the choir, worked in the nursery, taught Sunday School, Training Union (I am dating myself with the terminology.), junior choir, ladies classes, small groups of new believers and volunteered in church office work. I have never felt the need to contribute beyond where there was obvious need and/or as requested.
I like my position as a woman under the protection and authority of my husband. The Lord has opened many opportunities for me through his provision and leadership. My website is a direct result of his prompting and encouragement.
The instruction to “be in silence” is connected to doing things decently and in order. I think the better choice from the Greek would have been peaceable or avoiding bustle or distracting activity.
1Corinthians 14:40 “Let all things be done decently and in order.”
Paul publicly acknowledged and gave thanks to women who had assisted him in ministry.
Romans 16:1-2 “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.”
Philippians 4:3 “And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.”
1Timothy 2:13-15 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
These verses reference the reasons the woman was to submit to man.
Adam was created first.
Eve proved to be susceptible to the deceit of the enemy. Adam’s sin was a deliberate choice; Eve was basically tricked into sinning. I think this goes to the difference in the emotional makeup between male and female.
I have often wondered why Adam didn’t warn Eve and chose to disobey God since this verse is clear in stating that he was not deceived. Scripture indicates that he wanted to please his wife more than God; but when God confronted him with his sin, he was sure quick to lay the blame on her.
Genesis 3:11-12 & 17 “And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat….And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying….”
I liked David Guzik’s comment on these verses: “Why does man get the blame for the fall, when Eve ate the forbidden fruit first? Because there was a difference of authority. Because Adam had an authority Eve did not have, he also had a responsibility Eve did not have. Adam failed in his responsibility in a far more significant way than Eve did.”
As a result of her disobedience to God, Eve, and through her all women, was cursed to submit to the authority of her husband and would experience great sorrow in childbirth.
Genesis 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.”
I needed help on verse 15 and after reading many commentaries, I thought that Ray Stedman’s understanding made the best sense: “Here the word saved means "fulfilled," "to find significance." When used in that same sense, in this word about women, it makes perfect sense. Paul is saying to women, "The role God has given you is not to be the final, authoritative teachers in a church" (that is clear), "but that does not mean you cannot find great significance as Christian women. Your significance, your sense of fulfillment, will come as you bear children and they continue in faith and love and holiness, with modesty. The interesting thing is, that is exactly what the Greek text says: It says, "they," not "she." It is the editors who have put in the word, "she." Everywhere, in every version, the Greek text says, "they." It refers to the children. It is simply recognizing that a mother's unique contribution to life is to pour herself and all her values into her children, in order that as they come to manhood and womanhood they touch life and change it because of their mother's helpful influence.”