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 in chapter 5 of 1 Timothy which we didn't finish but will finish today, Paul gave Timothy instructions in how the church should help widows, how to decide which widows to help and he told Timothy to tell those family members who had the resources that the should provide for the widows in their family. That can be applied to us today and not only include widows but other family members.
1 Timothy 5:8 (NKJV) But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
He included in his instructions why the church shouldn't support younger widows and those who had not fully committed themselves to the things of Christ and the church.
1 Timothy 5:5 (NKJV) Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.
1 Timothy 5:6 (NKJV) But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.
1 Timothy 5:11-12 (NKJV) But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith.
Then he gave instructions about compensating or paying the elder(s) who directed the affairs of the church. Paul said they should be given double honor including wages.
1 Timothy 5:17 (NKJV) Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.
Paul then told Timothy how to handle any accusations against an elder or leader and that was to not take the word of one person but there had to be two or three witnesses and if after examination of the two or three witnesses the accusation was true then he was to rebuke the elder in front of the whole church as an example to the others.
That’s where we ended last week now let’ read the end of the chapter actually let’s read from 1 Timothy 5:22-6-2 because the first two verses of chapter 6 really fit with chapter 5
1 Timothy 5:8 (NKJV) But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
He included in his instructions why the church shouldn't support younger widows and those who had not fully committed themselves to the things of Christ and the church.
1 Timothy 5:5 (NKJV) Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.
1 Timothy 5:6 (NKJV) But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.
1 Timothy 5:11-12 (NKJV) But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith.
Then he gave instructions about compensating or paying the elder(s) who directed the affairs of the church. Paul said they should be given double honor including wages.
1 Timothy 5:17 (NKJV) Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.
Paul then told Timothy how to handle any accusations against an elder or leader and that was to not take the word of one person but there had to be two or three witnesses and if after examination of the two or three witnesses the accusation was true then he was to rebuke the elder in front of the whole church as an example to the others.
That’s where we ended last week now let’ read the end of the chapter actually let’s read from 1 Timothy 5:22-6-2 because the first two verses of chapter 6 really fit with chapter 5
Be Careful in Appointing (Laying Hands) People to Leadership
1. What did Paul encourage Timothy to do and not to do and why?
1 Timothy 5:22-25 (NKJV) Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure. No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities. Some men's sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.
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| Paul laying on hands |
It can be quite difficult to know whom to appoint to a task in the church. With some people, it is clear that they are not the right choice. The decision to refuse them is easy because you can see their sins. With other people, it is not that simple. They hide their sins and they appear to be good people. It is only later that they show their true nature. This is why Timothy, and us, shouldn't be quick to lay hands on anybody until we have observed them for a while. He should wait until he is sure that they are right. Even then with some people, we will never know and may not know until the day when they stand before God.
Paul said that it's important to be careful and not be hasty because when you lay hand on someone to appoint them to leadership positions we are to some extent responsible for them and,e responsible for what he or she does. If we make a bad choice, we share in the faults of that person and blame for the sins of that person.
Paul digressed a little to talk about Timothy and his health
1 Timothy 5:23 (NKJV) No
longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your
frequent infirmities.
Timothy did not have good health. He was often sick and had a weak stomach. He only drank water but Paul now tells him to also drink some wine. It may be that poor water was partly the cause of the stomach problems. Wine would act against the bad effects of the water. So a little wine would be like a good medicine for the stomach.
2. Why should slaves consider their masters worthy of respect?
1 Timothy 6:1 (NKJV) Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed.
In the time of Paul there were many slaves. Many of the first Christians were slaves. Paul teaches them how they should serve the Lord and their masters. Some masters did not believe in God but there were some who were believers. Christians who were slaves should respect their masters.
The reason why the slaves must serve like this is that they belong to God. What they do shows what they believe. Their masters wouldn't speak evil about God if the slaves have the right attitude. But if the slaves do not show their God by their actions, the masters those master who were not believers will not turn to God and they would refuse to accept what the Christians teach. They will blame the gospel for the poor performance of their slaves.
Paul does not adress the ultimate question of the right and wrong of slavery, but stresses the obligations resting on the slave, and the opportunity even in that situation to "adorn the doctrine"
Titus 2:9-10 (NKJV) Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
Paul points out that good works adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour. The character of God and the Gospel teaching will be hurt by wrong conduct. And those who have believing masters are not to fail to give full honor, but are to serve them all the better, since it is a Christian brother who is devoting himself to (or benefiting by) good service. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
Those Christian slave who did have believing masters should respect them because they serve the same Lord. They may know them as equal persons in the family of God and in the church. But they must perform the duties of slaves and give the honor due to them as masters. They must not make the beliefs that they hold in common an excuse for poor service. Instead, they should work harder and serve better. In this way, they would benefit those who were their brothers and sisters in Christ. The love of God for both slaves and masters has made them as one in his family. They must then love each other. So, the slaves should love their Christian masters and do their best for them. Timothy must teach these things to the church members. He must urge all who are slaves to give good service to their masters. They should see this as a duty given to them by the Lord. - An EasyEnglish Commentary (2800 word vocabulary) on Paul’s First Letter to Timothy Ian Mackervoy
Paul gives instructions to master on how to treat their slaves in
Ephesians 6:5-9 (NKJV) Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
The purpose of the Bible is to point the way to salvation, not to reform society. The Bible often approaches issues from the inside out. If a person experiences the love, mercy, and grace of God by receiving His salvation, God will reform his soul, changing the way he thinks and acts. A person who has experienced God’s gift of salvation and freedom from the slavery of sin, as God reforms his soul, will realize that enslaving another human being is wrong.
A person who has truly experienced God’s grace will in turn be gracious towards others. That would be the Bible’s prescription for ending slavery.
Today, while none of us is a slave, very few if any are totally "free" economically. We have to deal with employers, teachers, bills and our level of income. We often resist and resent these boundaries.
http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-slavery.html#ixzz3UIQhRoDL
3. What evidence do you see of a love for money among your friends or coworkers?
4. Why do you think most people are or aren’t content with what they have?
Let’s read 1 Timothy 6:3-10, actually let’s start the reading with the end of verse 2 “Teach and exhort these things.
5. What do false teachers ignore?
1 Timothy 6:3 (NKJV) If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness,
They ignore the words of Jesus and the doctrine which is the gospel
Paul refers to the words of Jesus which is an indication that written Gospel narratives were well known and in circulation. Remember last week in chapter 5 verse 18 the last part of that verse say the worker is worthy of his wages and that is from Luke 10:27, so it seems that Paul was familiar with the statement made by Jesus whether it was from Luke or some other writing. The words of Christ are the basis of the doctrine Paul is talking about here.
6. What harsh words did Paul have for those who teach false doctrines and what was the result of the false teachers’ unhealthy interests?
1 Timothy 6:3-5 (NKJV) If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
They think that they are superior. They always want to discuss things that do not help people to believe in the Lord. They ask questions. They cause doubts about what the Lord and the apostles have taught as the truth. They like to argue about the meaning of words. They waste time on things that do not really matter.
The results of what they say and do leads people to envy each other. They want to have what someone else has. When they cannot have it, they are jealous.
By their arguments, they destroy the unity that there should be in the church. Instead of peace there was spite among the members.
Where there should be trust between the members there were evil doubts.
Then there were constant quarrels.
In addition to power and reputation, money was a primary motivator for false teachers. So, according to Paul, what these false teachers really wanted was money.
Timothy did not have good health. He was often sick and had a weak stomach. He only drank water but Paul now tells him to also drink some wine. It may be that poor water was partly the cause of the stomach problems. Wine would act against the bad effects of the water. So a little wine would be like a good medicine for the stomach.
2. Why should slaves consider their masters worthy of respect?
1 Timothy 6:1 (NKJV) Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed.
In the time of Paul there were many slaves. Many of the first Christians were slaves. Paul teaches them how they should serve the Lord and their masters. Some masters did not believe in God but there were some who were believers. Christians who were slaves should respect their masters.
The reason why the slaves must serve like this is that they belong to God. What they do shows what they believe. Their masters wouldn't speak evil about God if the slaves have the right attitude. But if the slaves do not show their God by their actions, the masters those master who were not believers will not turn to God and they would refuse to accept what the Christians teach. They will blame the gospel for the poor performance of their slaves.
Paul does not adress the ultimate question of the right and wrong of slavery, but stresses the obligations resting on the slave, and the opportunity even in that situation to "adorn the doctrine"
Titus 2:9-10 (NKJV) Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
Paul points out that good works adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour. The character of God and the Gospel teaching will be hurt by wrong conduct. And those who have believing masters are not to fail to give full honor, but are to serve them all the better, since it is a Christian brother who is devoting himself to (or benefiting by) good service. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
Those Christian slave who did have believing masters should respect them because they serve the same Lord. They may know them as equal persons in the family of God and in the church. But they must perform the duties of slaves and give the honor due to them as masters. They must not make the beliefs that they hold in common an excuse for poor service. Instead, they should work harder and serve better. In this way, they would benefit those who were their brothers and sisters in Christ. The love of God for both slaves and masters has made them as one in his family. They must then love each other. So, the slaves should love their Christian masters and do their best for them. Timothy must teach these things to the church members. He must urge all who are slaves to give good service to their masters. They should see this as a duty given to them by the Lord. - An EasyEnglish Commentary (2800 word vocabulary) on Paul’s First Letter to Timothy Ian Mackervoy
Paul gives instructions to master on how to treat their slaves in
Ephesians 6:5-9 (NKJV) Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
The purpose of the Bible is to point the way to salvation, not to reform society. The Bible often approaches issues from the inside out. If a person experiences the love, mercy, and grace of God by receiving His salvation, God will reform his soul, changing the way he thinks and acts. A person who has experienced God’s gift of salvation and freedom from the slavery of sin, as God reforms his soul, will realize that enslaving another human being is wrong.
A person who has truly experienced God’s grace will in turn be gracious towards others. That would be the Bible’s prescription for ending slavery.
Today, while none of us is a slave, very few if any are totally "free" economically. We have to deal with employers, teachers, bills and our level of income. We often resist and resent these boundaries.
http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-slavery.html#ixzz3UIQhRoDL
Now to chapter 6 which could be titled Find Your Riches In Christ
Some well-known Christian teachers and authors tell us that being a Christian means success and prosperity. If we are faithful, God will bless us with wealth. Other Christians advocate a simple lifestyle without interest in material possessions. What does Scripture say about how we are to regard money? In this chapter Paul concludes his agenda of how to lead the powerful and the powerless by addressing the wealthy members of the church. - LifeGuide Bible Studies - LifeGuide Bible Studies – Timothy and Titus: Do What You Have Heard.3. What evidence do you see of a love for money among your friends or coworkers?
4. Why do you think most people are or aren’t content with what they have?
Let’s read 1 Timothy 6:3-10, actually let’s start the reading with the end of verse 2 “Teach and exhort these things.
5. What do false teachers ignore?
1 Timothy 6:3 (NKJV) If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness,
They ignore the words of Jesus and the doctrine which is the gospel
Paul refers to the words of Jesus which is an indication that written Gospel narratives were well known and in circulation. Remember last week in chapter 5 verse 18 the last part of that verse say the worker is worthy of his wages and that is from Luke 10:27, so it seems that Paul was familiar with the statement made by Jesus whether it was from Luke or some other writing. The words of Christ are the basis of the doctrine Paul is talking about here.
6. What harsh words did Paul have for those who teach false doctrines and what was the result of the false teachers’ unhealthy interests?
1 Timothy 6:3-5 (NKJV) If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
They think that they are superior. They always want to discuss things that do not help people to believe in the Lord. They ask questions. They cause doubts about what the Lord and the apostles have taught as the truth. They like to argue about the meaning of words. They waste time on things that do not really matter.
The results of what they say and do leads people to envy each other. They want to have what someone else has. When they cannot have it, they are jealous.
By their arguments, they destroy the unity that there should be in the church. Instead of peace there was spite among the members.
Where there should be trust between the members there were evil doubts.
Then there were constant quarrels.
In addition to power and reputation, money was a primary motivator for false teachers. So, according to Paul, what these false teachers really wanted was money.
Remember when we looked at the qualifications for elders or bishops
1 Timothy 3:3 (NKJV) not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;
7. What really brings us great gain and with what should we be content ?
1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NKJV) Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
Great gain. This word appears to have the uniform meaning, "way of gain," "means of livelihood," which yields a better sense here. Paul means to say: "The Christian faith with sufficiency for this life is a mighty way of gain." He has already said that godliness is profitable in every respect, giving the promise not only for this life but also for the life to come.
1 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV) For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
True religion brings much gain maybe not in this life but for sure in the life to come. We should please God and be content with what we have. Then we will receive a rich reward. - Wycliffe Bible Commentary
When a child is born, it brings nothing with it. Neither can we take anything out of the world with us when we die. We will have to leave behind all that we possess. All the wealth that a person can get will be of no benefit, in the end. Nothing that we own can add anything to us. Death will strip all those things from us and leave us naked. Then only that which God gives will be of value. He gives it to those who believe in him. So then, we should be content with the things that are necessary for life. We should only want to have the food and the clothes that we need. That should be enough for us. - An EasyEnglish Commentary (2800 word vocabulary) on Paul’s First Letter to Timothy Ian Mackervoy
8. What often happens to people who want to get rich?
1 Timothy 6:9-10 (NKJV) But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Paul does not say it's wrong to be rich." but, what does he say about wanting to be rich?
There are many dangers for those who want to be rich. When they want to gain wealth, their desires tempt them to do wrong things. Once they start doing those things, it is like falling into a trap. Those who want to be rich and make that their purpose in life will never be content. The desire to be rich will ruin and destroy them.
The love of money is the strong desire to get wealth. It is greater than the desire to love and serve God. It becomes the main purpose in life. That love is like a root. It is like the root from which plants grow. From that source, there come all kinds of evil. - An EasyEnglish Commentary (2800 word vocabulary) on Paul’s First Letter to Timothy Ian Mackervoy
It is not possible to serve both God and money. One or other of them must be the more important. Those who reach out to grab money will lose their grip on the Lord.
Having just gone through this section of chapter 6 let me ask some questions. We won’t talk about all of them but I want to you think about all of them.
- How could someone think that godliness was a means to financial gain?
- How do people attempt to use Christianity for their own profit?
- Why is it hard to be content?
- What get-rich-quick schemes (big or small) have you fallen for?
- On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being very important), how important is money to you?
- Why do you think that money is important or not very important?
- How can you guard against placing too much stock in your personal possession
Now Let’s Read 11-21
9. What did Paul tell Timothy to pursue?
1 Timothy 6:11 (NKJV) But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
In contrast to the false teachers Timothy was to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.
- Righteousness may be thought of as a comprehensive name for all the fruit of the Spirit.
- Godliness means "godly faith," "true religion.
- Faith may mean "believing" or "faithfulness." A full realization of love means the experience of God's love for us, as well as our loving him and others.
- Patience means "endurance," and meekness seems to go back to the Lord's teaching and example
Matthew 11:29 (NKJV) Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
10. What was Timothy urged to fight and take hold of ?
1 Timothy 6:12 (NKJV) Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
One of the things that Paul did in most of his letters was to inform and try to prepare Christians for the opposition and persecution which was coming. The good fight involves holding fast the faith and committing it to others. It is closely related to holding fast and laying hold of eternal life. The same word translated fight is used by the Lord in
Luke 13:24 (NKJV) "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
The false teachers were doing all that they could to stop the spread of the gospel. So Timothy had to fight, not with swords but by trusting in the Lord and with prayer. This is because the real enemies are not men and women.
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
11.When did Jesus make the good confession and what was it?
1 Timothy 6:13 (NKJV)13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
After Jesus was betrayed by Judas and the Jewish court, The Sanhedrin, did their phony trial they sent Him to Pontius Pilate to be tried and judged by the Romans because they could not execute Him the Romans had to do that. During the Pilate’s interrogation he asked the Jesus if He was the king of the Jews
John 18:33-37 (NKJV) Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered him, "Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?" Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."
Mark 15:2, Luke 23:3, and Matthew 27:11 all record this event.
Jesus said that he was a king. But he said that his kingdom was not of this world.
Jesus did what God had sent him to do. And, because of that, he suffered and died on the cross. Paul told Timothy should obey God like Jesus did. And so should we and all others who believe in Jesus Christ. We may have to suffer and even die for this but, we must be true to the faith that we confess. One day, we will have to give an account to the Jesus who God has made the judge of all people.
12. What was Paul’s charge or command to Timothy?
1 Timothy 6:13-15 (NKJV) I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
The command is what the Lord has told him to do. It has come in the instructions that Paul and the elders gave to him. Paul has shown him in this letter what the command means. It is to keep and obey all that Jesus and the apostles taught. It is to be and to do all that the Lord requires. This is not just for Timothy but it should be the aim of all Christians.
When Jesus returns he will take up those Christians who are alive on the earth to be with him. and he will take up those Christians who have died. Until then, Timothy, and we, must do what the Lord orders. We all fail at some point but if we ask the Lord will forgive us. When he comes we must all give an account to him of everything that we have done.
God has planned the moment when his son, Jesus, will return. And he will control that moment. The Lord Jesus will come as the champion for all who believe in him. He will defeat all that is against us. All the struggles of this life will be over.
God has in himself all blessing. He blesses his people who in turn bless and praise him. God is the real and absolute ruler of all. He is the king of all those who rule as kings. He is the Lord of all who rule as lords. - An EasyEnglish Commentary (2800 word vocabulary) on Paul’s First Letter to Timothy Ian Mackervoy
13. Why should those who are rich not be arrogant or put their hope in wealth?
1 Timothy 6:17 (NKJV) Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
- There is a danger that the rich may believe that they are better than other people.
- All that they have could vanish in a very short time.
- They can't be certain that they will always be rich.
- When they die, these riches will have no value for them. They will go to someone else.
- All the money in the world cannot buy life after death.
- It is foolish to trust in riches for this life and for the future life.
Proverbs 10:22 (NKJV) The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.
14. What command is given to those who are rich?
1 Timothy 6:18-19 (NKJV) Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
The command is that they do good. The rich are responsible to God for how they use their wealth. The more they have the greater their duty to use it to do what is good. Rich people have more than enough for their own needs. There is no benefit to them in owning an excess of wealth. They should share what they have. They should use their wealth for the benefit of those in need.
By doing good works rich Christians will reduce their wealth on earth, but they will be building up riches in eternity.
Matthew 6:19-20 (NKJV) "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal..
15. What was Timothy to guard and turn away from?
1 Timothy 6:20-21 (NKJV) O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge-- by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.
Paul ends his letter with some final advice for Timothy.
The way he says "turn away from godless chatter", Timothymay have been prone to the weakness which the false teachers had made a way of life. As a natural teacher, he may have enjoyed intellectual curiosities. Timothy could not lead the church without resisting his own personal weaknesses. Part of guarding the church was to pursue his own purity. Many ministries have been damaged by a leader who ignored personal weaknesses. - An EasyEnglish Commentary (2800 word vocabulary) on Paul’s First Letter to Timothy Ian Mackervoy
Timothy was entrusted with the message of the gospel and the Ephesian church. In your own life perhaps it is people, situations, a job or role in the fellowship, as well as the gospel itself, to which you are entrusted.
You could also ask, "How does the phrase 'turn away' fit with the call to guard what has been entrusted to his care?" And "What personal weakness seems to threaten your own call to 'guard'?" -
LifeGuide Bible Studies - LifeGuide Bible Studies – Timothy and Titus: Do What You Have Heard.
LifeGuide Bible Studies - LifeGuide Bible Studies – Timothy and Titus: Do What You Have Heard.
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