The Church of Divine Guidance (CDG) Sunday morning adult bible study group is studying Paul's pastoral Epistles (Letters) to his protege, Timothy. These posts are my notes for each session. Please study with us. You can participate by asking your questions or making comments in the comments below. We welcome your thoughts and prayers
Review
Last week we identified the qualifications of the kind of church leaders that would help Timothy to carry out his mission against false teachers. These should also be the qualifications that we look for today for leaders of the church because today there is false and misleading teaching going on and many Christians are lead astray or become disillusioned with the church. We learned that while ability is important the character of the leader is more important because it affects how the leader interacts and serves the people of the church. You shouldn't make a new convert a leader because they may become filled with pride plus you would not have had time to test the character of the person.
The list of qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:2-4
1 Timothy 3:2-4 (HCSB) An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,3 not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy—4 one who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity.
Every one of those qualifications with the exception of the ability to teach are character trates.
Now that we have identified the kind of leaders that the church needs they can help the people discern between the real Christian ministry and the counterfeit. That’s what we are going to talk about today.
Introduction
Purpose: To draw out the key elements of real Christian ministry, and help people discern it from the counterfeit.1 Timothy 4:1-16
With this chapter Paul's strategy for Timothy starts to emerge clearly. Timothy's mission was to deal with the false teachers. Paul sees, however, that fighting false teachers with ideology alone is fruitless. The real mission is that the church be healthy so that Jesus Christ is communicated through it. So he spoke of prayer and leadership first. With that foundation in place, Timothy will be able to turn his attention directly to the problems at hand.
1. Is there an older Christian in your family or church who has given you good advice? What was it?
For me it was my grandmother. She was a pillar in her church and in the Disciples of Christ denomination. She is the one that urged, no made me, read the bible everyday when I would visit her and my grandfather in the summer. One of my grandfather's was a preacher and did a circuit of small churches in Mississippi. I would visit them also in the summer.
My mother was the pianist in the small church where I was raised and she and my great grandmother made my brothers and me sing in her choir and participate in all the church activities. All of these people greatly influenced me although at the time I didn't realize it.
2. Read 1 Tim. 4:1-16. "Later times" means later than Paul's ministry. This time was at hand for Timothy. Read Paul's prophecy in Acts 20:29-30. What is Paul predicting?
1 Timothy 1:3-7 (HCSB) 3 As I urged you when I went to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach different doctrine 4 or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan, which operates by faith. 5 Now the goal of our instruction is love ⌊that comes⌋ from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. 6 Some have deviated from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on.
Mark 7:18-23 (HCSB) 18 And He said to them, “Are you also as lacking in understanding? Don’t you realize that nothing going into a man from the outside can defile him? 19 For it doesn’t go into his heart but into the stomach and is eliminated.” (As a result, He made all foods clean.) 20 Then He said, “What comes out of a person—that defiles him. 21 For from within, out of people’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, 22 adulteries, greed, evil actions, deceit, promiscuity, stinginess, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a person.”
6. Who are the modern examples of such leaders?
7. What was Timothy's personal life to be like (1 Tim. 4:7-16)?
1 Timothy 4:7-16 (HCSB)7 But have nothing to do with irreverent and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness,8 for the training of the body has a limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.10 In fact, we labor and strive for this, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, especially of those who believe.
11 Command and teach these things.12 Let no one despise your youth; instead, you should be an
example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.13 Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching.14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.15 Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all.16 Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.
They were hypocrites whose consciences were seared. They were engaged in silly myths and genealogies not the gospel of Christ or love.
8. Why do you think you are motivated at some times and not motivated at other times for training in godliness (1 Tim. 4:7)?
1 Timothy 4:7 (HCSB) But have nothing to do with irreverent and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness,
9. What instructions is Timothy given for his public ministry (1 Tim. 4:6, 11, 13, 16)?
Put the brethren in remembrance. Implies enjoining and teaching or demonstrating: Timothy himself is to be nourished by the words of the faith and good doctrine. The faith is the whole body of truth and knowledge of God. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
Timothy should order and teach these things. Timothy was a shy and quiet man. But Paul tells him to use his authority as the leader of this church. He must be strong. And he must order people to do what the *Lord has said. He must teach them the things about which Paul writes.
10. Did Paul think Timothy's assignment would be short-term or long-term? Explain your answer from the passage.
11. Timothy was probably about forty years old at this point, and apparently some people thought he was too young. Paul encourages Timothy by citing a number of resources which are available to Timothy. What are they?
His resources included:
We do not know what this gift was. But it was to help Timothy in his life and work.
12. What results did Paul tell Timothy he could expect (1 Tim. 4:16)?
1Timothy 4:16 (HCSB) Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Paul expected Timothy to deliver the church from false teaching. The Greek text could also mean that the church would be saved through the teaching of the gospel. Sometimes the New Testament speaks of salvation as having been accomplished, sometimes as in the act of being accomplished, and sometimes as yet to be accomplished. This could be an example of the latter.
13. Timothy's primary ministry was teaching. What in this passage encourages you to develop and use your ministry gifts?
2. Read 1 Tim. 4:1-16. "Later times" means later than Paul's ministry. This time was at hand for Timothy. Read Paul's prophecy in Acts 20:29-30. What is Paul predicting?
Acts 20:29-30 (HCSB) 29 I know
that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the
flock. 30 And men will rise up from
your own number with deviant doctrines to lure the disciples into following
them.
Paul predicted that troubles would come to the Ephesian church from two sources: fierce wolves would enter the church from without, and false teachers would arise from their own midst to turn disciples away from the faith. The growth of heresy at Ephesus is reflected in 1 Tim 1:3-7. -
The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
1 Timothy 1:3-7 (HCSB) 3 As I urged you when I went to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach different doctrine 4 or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan, which operates by faith. 5 Now the goal of our instruction is love ⌊that comes⌋ from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. 6 Some have deviated from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on.
False Teachers
3. What is the nature of the teachings described in 1 Tim. 4:2-3?
1 Timothy 4:2-3 (HCSB)2 through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared.3 They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods that God created to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth.
Probably Gnostic teachings which we talked about in our first two sessions.
Gnostics believed that matter, whether it be the physical universe or the human body, is evil. God is is far removed from his creation. He did not create the material universe because it was instead created by an evil or lesser God. So He is too perfect and pure to have much to do with the evilness of the material universe.
The Gnostics saw all things in terms of two contrasting principles. On the one side was good, which was associated with the spiritual and the immaterial. On the other side was evil, which was associated with the material universe. God Himself was perfectly good, spiritual, and totally disassociated from the material. He would not pollute Himself by any such contact! The material universe was an accident or, at worst, the error of the last of a long series of supernatural beings—intermediaries—ranked between God and matter. To God, the pure Spirit, the world was alien and despicable. God become man? God take on human flesh? Never! Christ must be a lower intermediary or an "appearance"—a shadow of God cast on a screen. But God in human flesh? Unthinkable!
Often, false teachers advocate lower morals. Yet the teachers here are advocating excessively strict morals. From church history it is hard to say which error has done more damage. In most of the New Testament, the strongest opponents of Jesus and Paul were legalistic. And in the second century, celibacy became a badge of being "truly committed to Christ." This unbiblical asceticism was connected to the gnostic teaching, which held that the material world was evil.
4. Why is this teaching—which could seem to be "super spiritual"—really a doctrine of demons (1 Tim. 4:3-4)?
1 Timothy 4:3-4 (HCSB)3 They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods that God created to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth.4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
We know that the false teachers:
—teach from the Bible
—are effective in getting followers
—call for high commitment
—are hypocrites who suppress conscience
Some high-pressure Christian groups seem spiritual because members put in long hours and make great sacrifices. But some groups add extra-biblical rules. Few members can reach their standards, and many burn-out from guilt.
The false teachers whom the demons use seem to be good. But they speak lies. They teach things that do not agree with the truth from God. It may sound good but it is false.
These teachers should have known the truth but they chose to deny it. They have allowed the demons to persuade them that the truth is not right. They have decided to follow and to teach what is false. This has damaged their consciences. It is as if they have burned them with a hot iron. They can no longer know what is right or what is wrong. - An EasyEnglish Commentary (2800 word vocabulary) on Paul’s First Letter to Timothy Ian Mackervoy www.easyenglish.info
5. When you think of "false teaching," do you think of teachers who are morally too loose or too strict? Explain.
Paul mentions two of the wrong things that these people taught. They forbade people to marry. And they told them that they must not eat certain foods.
The Bible teaches that marriage is a good thing. And it is from God.
1 Timothy 4:2-3 (HCSB)2 through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared.3 They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods that God created to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth.
Probably Gnostic teachings which we talked about in our first two sessions.
Gnostics believed that matter, whether it be the physical universe or the human body, is evil. God is is far removed from his creation. He did not create the material universe because it was instead created by an evil or lesser God. So He is too perfect and pure to have much to do with the evilness of the material universe.
The Gnostics saw all things in terms of two contrasting principles. On the one side was good, which was associated with the spiritual and the immaterial. On the other side was evil, which was associated with the material universe. God Himself was perfectly good, spiritual, and totally disassociated from the material. He would not pollute Himself by any such contact! The material universe was an accident or, at worst, the error of the last of a long series of supernatural beings—intermediaries—ranked between God and matter. To God, the pure Spirit, the world was alien and despicable. God become man? God take on human flesh? Never! Christ must be a lower intermediary or an "appearance"—a shadow of God cast on a screen. But God in human flesh? Unthinkable!
Often, false teachers advocate lower morals. Yet the teachers here are advocating excessively strict morals. From church history it is hard to say which error has done more damage. In most of the New Testament, the strongest opponents of Jesus and Paul were legalistic. And in the second century, celibacy became a badge of being "truly committed to Christ." This unbiblical asceticism was connected to the gnostic teaching, which held that the material world was evil.
4. Why is this teaching—which could seem to be "super spiritual"—really a doctrine of demons (1 Tim. 4:3-4)?
1 Timothy 4:3-4 (HCSB)3 They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods that God created to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth.4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
We know that the false teachers:
—teach from the Bible
—are effective in getting followers
—call for high commitment
—are hypocrites who suppress conscience
Some high-pressure Christian groups seem spiritual because members put in long hours and make great sacrifices. But some groups add extra-biblical rules. Few members can reach their standards, and many burn-out from guilt.
The false teachers whom the demons use seem to be good. But they speak lies. They teach things that do not agree with the truth from God. It may sound good but it is false.
These teachers should have known the truth but they chose to deny it. They have allowed the demons to persuade them that the truth is not right. They have decided to follow and to teach what is false. This has damaged their consciences. It is as if they have burned them with a hot iron. They can no longer know what is right or what is wrong. - An EasyEnglish Commentary (2800 word vocabulary) on Paul’s First Letter to Timothy Ian Mackervoy www.easyenglish.info
Paul mentions two of the wrong things that these people taught. They forbade people to marry. And they told them that they must not eat certain foods.
The Bible teaches that marriage is a good thing. And it is from God.
Genesis 2:23-24 (HCSB) 23 And
the man said: This one, at last, is bone of my bone
and flesh of my flesh; this one
will be called “woman,” for she was taken
from man. 24
This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his
wife, and they become one flesh.
As for the foods, God created them for us to eat. Christians should know that they can eat all kinds of food. But they should always thank God for what they eat. They should be grateful to God for all that he has given to them.
Genesis 1:29-31 (HCSB)29 God also said, “Look, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the surface of the entire earth and every tree whose fruit contains seed. This food will be for you,30 for all the wildlife of the earth, for every bird of the sky, and for every creature that crawls on the earth—everything having the breath of life in it. ⌊I have given⌋ every green plant for food.” And it was so.31 God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. Evening came and then morning: the sixth day.
Genesis 9:3 (HCSB) Every living creature will be food for you; as ⌊I gave⌋ the green plants, I have
given you everything.
Genesis 1:29-31 (HCSB)29 God also said, “Look, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the surface of the entire earth and every tree whose fruit contains seed. This food will be for you,30 for all the wildlife of the earth, for every bird of the sky, and for every creature that crawls on the earth—everything having the breath of life in it. ⌊I have given⌋ every green plant for food.” And it was so.31 God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. Evening came and then morning: the sixth day.
Genesis 9:3 (HCSB) Every living creature will be food for you; as ⌊I gave⌋ the green plants, I have given you everything.
Mark 7:18-23 (HCSB) 18 And He said to them, “Are you also as lacking in understanding? Don’t you realize that nothing going into a man from the outside can defile him? 19 For it doesn’t go into his heart but into the stomach and is eliminated.” (As a result, He made all foods clean.) 20 Then He said, “What comes out of a person—that defiles him. 21 For from within, out of people’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, 22 adulteries, greed, evil actions, deceit, promiscuity, stinginess, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a person.”
The principles governing the right use of the supports of this life are: (a) God is the Creator and his creation is good; (b) He created food for men, and those who believe and know the truth about eternal salvation will have the right attitude toward the necessities of this life, and will neither deify the created thing nor degrade and despise it, but will accept it thankfully as the Father's wise provision - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
6. Who are the modern examples of such leaders?
Timothy's Personal Life to be and Example of Truth
7. What was Timothy's personal life to be like (1 Tim. 4:7-16)?
1 Timothy 4:7-16 (HCSB)7 But have nothing to do with irreverent and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness,8 for the training of the body has a limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.10 In fact, we labor and strive for this, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, especially of those who believe.
11 Command and teach these things.12 Let no one despise your youth; instead, you should be an
example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.13 Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching.14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.15 Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all.16 Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.
- Train himself in godliness - 1 Timothy 4:7 (HCSB) But have nothing to do with irreverent and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness,
- Put his hope in God - 1 Timothy 4:10 (HCSB) In fact, we labor and strive for this, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, especially of those who believe.
- Don’t neglect his gift and practice and be committed to them. This could have been one or more spiritual gifts. - 1 Timothy 4:14-15 (HCSB)14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.15 Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all.
- Watch his life and be careful to persevere 1 Timothy 4:16 (HCSB)16 Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.
They were hypocrites whose consciences were seared. They were engaged in silly myths and genealogies not the gospel of Christ or love.
8. Why do you think you are motivated at some times and not motivated at other times for training in godliness (1 Tim. 4:7)?
1 Timothy 4:7 (HCSB) But have nothing to do with irreverent and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness,
Instructions to Timothy
9. What instructions is Timothy given for his public ministry (1 Tim. 4:6, 11, 13, 16)?
- "the truths of the faith" and "the good teaching," - 1 Timothy 4:6 (HCSB) If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and the good teaching that you have followed.
Put the brethren in remembrance. Implies enjoining and teaching or demonstrating: Timothy himself is to be nourished by the words of the faith and good doctrine. The faith is the whole body of truth and knowledge of God. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
- "command and teach these things," - order them to do these things. - 1 Timothy 4:11 (HCSB) Command and teach these things. -
Timothy should order and teach these things. Timothy was a shy and quiet man. But Paul tells him to use his authority as the leader of this church. He must be strong. And he must order people to do what the *Lord has said. He must teach them the things about which Paul writes.
- "public reading of Scripture . . . preaching . . . teaching," - 1 Timothy 4:13 (HCSB) Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching.
- "doctrine." - 1 Timothy 4:16 (HCSB) Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.
10. Did Paul think Timothy's assignment would be short-term or long-term? Explain your answer from the passage.
- "train yourself to be godly" - 1 Timothy 4:7 (HCSB) But have nothing to do with irreverent and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness, ;
- "for this we labor and strive"; - Timothy 4:10 (HCSB) In fact, we labor and strive for this, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, especially of those who believe.
- "be diligent" and "see your progress"- 1 Timothy 4:15 (HCSB) Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all.
- "persevere" - 1 Timothy 4:16 (HCSB) Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.
11. Timothy was probably about forty years old at this point, and apparently some people thought he was too young. Paul encourages Timothy by citing a number of resources which are available to Timothy. What are they?His resources included:
- Scriptures, his personal gift for ministry - 1 Timothy 4:14 (HCSB) Do not neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.
Teaching and counseling are mentioned together (Romans 12:7-8 (HCSB)7 if
service, in service; if teaching, in teaching; 8 if exhorting,
in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy,
with cheerfulness); teachers are among the gifts of the Spirit to the Church (1 Corinthians 12:28 (HCSB) 28
And God has placed these in the church: first
apostles, second prophets, third teachers,
next miracles, then gifts of healing, helping,
managing, various kinds of languages.); pastors and teachers are mentioned as a unit (Ephesians 4:11 (HCSB)11 And
He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some
pastors and teachers). This word meaning "gift of grace" can be applied to any gift of God through the Spirit. Here it seems to imply a charge given at ordination. Paul reiterates it and reminds Timothy here and at 1:18(1Timothy 1:18 (HCSB) Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the
prophecies previously made about you, so that by them you may strongly engage in
battle,) - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
We do not know what this gift was. But it was to help Timothy in his life and work.
- Paul who planned to visit - 1 Timothy 4:13 (HCSB) Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching.
- "the living God," in which was his hope - 1 Timothy 4:10 (HCSB) In fact, we labor and strive for this, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, especially of those who believe.
12. What results did Paul tell Timothy he could expect (1 Tim. 4:16)?
1Timothy 4:16 (HCSB) Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Paul expected Timothy to deliver the church from false teaching. The Greek text could also mean that the church would be saved through the teaching of the gospel. Sometimes the New Testament speaks of salvation as having been accomplished, sometimes as in the act of being accomplished, and sometimes as yet to be accomplished. This could be an example of the latter.
13. Timothy's primary ministry was teaching. What in this passage encourages you to develop and use your ministry gifts?
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