Paul's Letters to Timothy and Titus Session - 3 - Defending the Faith and Instructions on Orderly Worship

The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is studying Paul's pastoral Epistles (Letters) to his proteges, Timothy and Titus.

In session 2 we saw that Paul explained the three responsibilities of a pastor and people in a local church.

1. Teaching sound doctrine

2. Proclaiming the gospel

3. Defending the faith

We got through the first two in Session 2 and here in Session 3 we talk about the local church defending the faith and we ask the question is worship to be "Service or Circus?" Paul instructs Timothy on how to maintain order in worship

Teaching sound doctrine

Paul told Timothy that he had to deal with was false doctrines, myths and genealogies; and the belief that you must obey the Mosaic law in order to become a Christian. There were teachers of false doctrines in Paul’s day just as there are today, and we must take them seriously. These false teachers have no good news for lost sinners. They seek instead to lead Christians astray and capture them for their causes.

The reason for this false doctrine was a misuse of the Old Testament law. These false teachers did not understand the content or the purpose of God’s law. They were leading believers out of the liberty of grace into the bondage of legalism, a tragedy that still occurs today. The lawful use of the law is to expose, restrain, and convict the lawless. The law cannot save lost sinners; it can only reveal their need for a Savior.

It is the “glorious gospel” that saves lost sinners.

Romans 1:16 NIV For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

Proclaiming the gospel

Paul shares his own personal testimony. He was “Exhibit A” to prove that the gospel of the grace of God really works. When you read Paul’s testimony of his conversion on the way to Damascus to persecute Christians you will begin to grasp the wonder of God’s grace and His saving power.

He was a blasphemer because he denied the deity of Jesus Christ and forced others to deny it. He was a persecutor who used physical power to try to destroy the church.

1 Timothy 1:13 NIV Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.

God still saved him because of His mercy and grace. Paul stated that it took “exceedingly abundant” grace to save him! Paul made it clear that this salvation was not for him only, but for all who receive Jesus Christ.

If Jesus could save Saul of Tarsus, the chief of sinners, then He can save anybody!

It is the “glorious gospel” that saves lost sinners.

Romans 1:16 NIV For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

The grace of God turned the persecutor into a preacher, and the murderer into a minister and a missionary.

1 Timothy 1:12‭, ‬16 NIV I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

The change in Paul’s life was so dramatic that the Jerusalem church suspected that it was a trick, and they had a hard time accepting him.


Acts 9:26‭-‬31 NIV When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

God gave Paul his ministry; he did not get it from Peter or the other apostles He was called and commissioned directly the risen Christ in heaven.

Paul not only became a minister; he also became an example, as it said in verse 16. None of us has had the same experience that Paul had on the Damascus Road. We did not see a light, fall to the ground, and hear Jesus speak from heaven. But Paul is a fitting example to all lost sinners. He said he was the chief of sinners! He is proof that the grace of God can change any anybody.

Defending the faith

The third responsibility for the local church to fulfill besides teaching sound doctrine and proclaiming the gospel is defending the faith.

1 Timothy 1:18‭-‬20 NIV Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

Paul again used the word command. He also reminded Timothy that God had chosen him for his ministry.

1 Timothy 4:14 NIV Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

He warned Timothy that the only way to succeed was to hold fast to “faith and a good conscience.” It is not enough to proclaim the faith with our lips; we must practice the faith in our daily lives.

A good conscience is important to a good warfare and a good ministry. A conscience is “the inner voice which warns us that somebody may be looking. However, as we learned when we studied Joseph, a person of integrity with a good conscience will do the will of God despite who is watching or what people may say.

Now Paul mentioned the name of two guys Hymenaeus and Alexander in verse 20 in reference to people who had shipwrecked their faith. Professed Christians who “make shipwreck” of their faith do so by sinning against their consciences. Paul did not tell us exactly what they did, except that their sin involved “blaspheming” in some way. Hymenaeus said that the resurrection was already past.

2 Timothy 2:16‭-‬18 NIV Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.

Alexander was a popular name in that day, so we cannot be sure that the man named in Paul’s next letter to Timothy (2 Tim. 4:14) is the same man.

2 Timothy 4:14 NIV Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done.

“Delivered unto Satan” implies an apostolic discipline and disassociation from the local church. Remember this?

1 Corinthians 5:1‭-‬5 NIV It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this? For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this. So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.

The fellowship of the local church, in obedience to the will of God, gives a believer spiritual protection. Satan must ask God for permission to attack a believer

Job 1:6‭-‬12 NIV One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.” Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

Job 2:1‭-‬6 NIV On another day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. And the Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.” Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.” “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.”

It is not enough for a local church to teach sound doctrine and to proclaim the gospel. The church must also defend the faith by exposing lies and opposing the doctrines of demons.

1 Timothy 4:1‭-‬5 NIV The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

Some churches only preach the gospel and seldom teach their converts the truths of the Christian life. Other churches are only opposing false doctrine; they have no positive ministry. We must be teachers of healthy doctrine (“sound doctrine,” 1 Tim. 1:10), or the believers will not grow. We must preach the gospel and keep winning the lost to Christ. And we must defend the faith against those who would corrupt the church with false doctrine and godless living. It is a constant battle, but it must be carried on.

Paul was telling Timothy that God had called him, equipped him, and put him into his place of ministry. Timothy’s job was not to run all over Ephesus, being involved in a multitude of tasks. His job was to care for the church by winning the lost, teaching the saved, and defending the faith. Any task that did not relate to these ministries would have to be abandoned. One reason some local churches are having problems is that the pastors and spiritual leaders are involved in too many extracurricular activities and are not doing the tasks God has called them to do.

Service or Circus


We often in church and often from the pulpit say just let the Spirit have His way His freedom, and we should but, we should also remember that God is a God of order and not confusion.


Order implies a neat and logical organization of items, tasks, or people. When a room is in order, it has been tidied and everything is in its proper place. God’s universe is orderly. He created everything in an orderly sequence in a six-day span that set the world as we know it into motion


Genesis 1:31 NIV saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

He created the sun, moon, and stars to regulate time and seasons, and the heavenly bodies operate with precise predictability.

Psalms 104:19‭-‬23 NIV made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down. You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl. The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God. The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens. Then people go out to their work, to their labor until evening.

Paul wrote to the Corinthian church about order during worship

1 Corinthians 14:33 NIV God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.

Their worship services were out of control, chaotic, and even offensive to unbelievers who visited.

1 Corinthians 14:22‭-‬23 NIV Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. So, if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?

Paul bases the command for order in the church service on the fact that God Himself is a God of order, not chaos.

We must permit the Spirit to have freedom, but even the Holy Spirit is not free to disobey the Word of God.”

Often, what we think is the “freedom of the Spirit” are the carnal ideas of some Christian who is not walking in the Spirit. Eventually this “freedom” becomes anarchy, and anarchy grieves the Spirit as a church gradually moves away from the standards of God’s Word.

To counteract this tendency, Paul exhorted, through Timothy, the men and women in the church and reminded them of their spiritual responsibilities, to maintain order.

He starts with the Men—Praying (2:1–8)

1 Timothy 2:1‭-‬8 NIV I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles. Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.

First of all” indicates that prayer is most important in the public worship of the church. It is sad to see how prayer has lost importance in many churches. “If we announced a banquet,” a pastor said, “people will come out of the woodwork to attend. But if I announce a prayer meeting, I’m lucky if the ushers show up!” Just take a look at our call for corporate prayer on Sunday morning. I'm just saying.

We pray a lot in this church but that is not the norm in a lot of churches today. There an old saying “Much prayer, much power! No prayer, no power!” Prayer was as much a part of the early church and the apostle's ministry as preaching the Word.

Acts 6:1‭-‬4 NIV those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

I am no role model, and I am not patting myself on the back, but I do spend time thinking through what to pray about, especially on Sunday for worship service. I don't want our opening prayer and the pastoral Prayer to be dull and routine.

Paul's Letters to Timothy and Titus - Session 2 I Timothy Chapter 1 All Religion is Not Alike

The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group  is studying Paul's pastoral Epistles (Letters) to his proteges, Timothy and Titus.

In our Introduction to 1 Timothy, last week we learned that Paul  gave Timothy quite a list of subjects to teach, including: exposure of false doctrines, myths and genealogies; law; sound doctrine; the glorious Gospel; mercy; truth; dedication; prayer; harmony; women's dress and appearance; marriage and dietary practices; qualifications for leaders; conduct; sayings, truths of the faith; the practice of religion; relationships with fellow Christians; treatment of widows; ways to select elders; contentment; righteousness; faith; love; endurance; hope in God; and doing good.

In session 2 we see that Paul explained the three responsibilities of a pastor and people in a local church.

1. Teaching sound doctrine

2. Proclaiming the gospel 

3. Defending the faith

We got through the first two in this session we will look at defending the faith next week as well as chapter two of 1 Timothy where we ask the question...."Service or Circus?"

In 1 Timothy Paul is writing to Timothy, who is in Ephesus, to encourage him in the task of leading that church. He gives Timothy a lot of advice both for the Christians in the church and for Timothy himself. 

There were some problems with some of the teaching and teachers there and Paul wants Timothy to sort out this problem.  

1 Timothy 1:3 (NKJV) As I urged you when I went into Macedonia--remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 

Timothy needs to deal with those in error.  

In 1 Timothy, Paul  gave Timothy quite a list of subjects to teach, including: exposure of false doctrines, myths and genealogies; law; sound doctrine; the glorious Gospel; mercy; truth; dedication; prayer; harmony; women's dress and appearance; marriage and dietary practices; qualifications for leaders; conduct; sayings, truths of the faith; the practice of religion; relationships with fellow Christians; treatment of widows; ways to select elders; contentment; righteousness; faith; love; endurance; hope in God; and doing good,  that's a lot and we are going to talk about all of it. 

Paul was concerned about Timothy communicating sound doctrine, mercy, commitment, conduct, and truth plus a whole new way of life.  A new way of life in which shaped beliefs, attitudes, values, and behavior

Paul wrote the letter we call 1 Timothy to encourage Timothy, to explain how a local church should be managed, and to enforce his own authority as a servant of God.

The Church and Its Message 

In 1 Timothy 1, Paul explained the three responsibilities of a pastor and people in a local church.

1. Teaching sound doctrine

2. Proclaiming the gospel 

3. Defending the faith

1. Teaching sound doctrine (1 Timothy 1:1–11) 

1 Timothy 1:1‭-‬11 NIV Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm. We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

From the very greeting of the letter, Paul affirmed his authority as a servant of Jesus Christ. Those who were giving Timothy trouble needed to remember that their pastor was there because God had put him there. Paul’s authority was given by God. Paul was an “apostle,” one whom God sent with a special commission. His apostleship came by “commandment” from Jesus Christ. This word means “a royal commission.” Both the King of Kings sent Paul and Timothy!

Paul encourages Timothy for what will be a big challenging task by reminding him that Jesus is his and our hope. 

1 Timothy 1:1 NIV Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

Hope is future tense – something that we expect to happen in the future; a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

Hope is a vital part of our spiritual and our natural lives. We have hope that Jesus Christ will return for His Church. We know this is going to happen and we continue in hope for it. We rejoice in the knowledge of it happening, but it is still something that will happen in the future. 

Galatians 5:5 NIV says For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.

Romans 8:24 NIV says For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?

When we are hoping, we are expecting something in the future. We don’t “hope” that God is hearing our prayers and “hopefully” will answer them. We know, by faith, that He has heard and has answered them.

In our introduction last week, we said tha5 Paul told Timothy that he had to deal with was false doctrines, myths, and genealogies; and the belief that you must obey the Mosaic law to become a Christian. 

1 Timothy 1:3‭-‬4 NIV As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith.

There were teachers of false doctrines in Paul’s day just as there are today, and we must take them seriously. These false teachers have no good news for lost sinners. They seek instead to lead Christians astray and capture them for their causes.

He wanted them to take these false teachings seriously, that's why he used the word command in verse 3. Command is a military term.  Timothy as a soldier for the gospel under the command of Jesus was to pass the orders to the rest of the soldiers, the church. 

What was the order? “Do not teach different doctrines from those taught by Paul!”

God had committed the truth of the Word to Paul

1 Timothy 1:11 NIV conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

and Paul had committed it to Timothy

1 Timothy 6:20 NIV Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge,

So it was Timothy’s responsibility to guard the faith and to pass it along to faithful people.

2 Timothy 1:14 NIV Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

2 Timothy 2:2 NIV And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

Paul identified the false teaching as “fables and endless genealogies”.

1 Timothy 1:4 NIV or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith.

The false teachers were using the Old Testament law, and especially the genealogies, to manufacture all kinds of novelties, and these new doctrines were leading people astray. The false teachers were raising questions, not answering them. They were not promoting “God’s saving plan”. Instead of producing love, purity, a good conscience, and sincere faith, these novel doctrines were causing division, hypocrisy, and all sorts of problems.

The reason for this false doctrine was a misuse of the Old Testament law. These false teachers did not understand the content or the purpose of God’s law. They were leading believers out of the liberty of grace into the bondage of legalism, a tragedy that still occurs today.

Paul listed fourteen kinds of people who were condemned by the law in

1 Timothy 1:9‭-‬10 NIV We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine

The lawful use of the law is to expose, restrain, and convict the lawless. The law cannot save lost sinners; it can only reveal their need for a Savior. 

Galatians 2:21 NIV I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

Galatians 3:21‭-‬22 NIV Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

It is the “glorious gospel” that saves lost sinners.

Romans 1:16 NIV For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

2. Proclaiming the gospel 

1 Timothy 1:12‭-‬17 NIV I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Paul shares his own personal testimony. He was “Exhibit A” to prove that the gospel of the grace of God really works. When you read Paul’s testimony of his conversion on the way to Damascus to persecute Christians you will begin to grasp the wonder of God’s grace and His saving power.

He was a blasphemer because he denied the deity of Jesus Christ and forced others to deny it. He was a persecutor who used physical power to try to destroy the church. During this period of his life, Paul consented to the stoning of Stephen and made havoc of the church.

Acts 7:54‭-‬59 NIV When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

Acts 8:1‭-‬3 NIV And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

1 Timothy 1:13 NIV Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.

He was a blasphemer because he denied the deity of Jesus Christ and forced others to deny it. He was a persecutor who used physical power to try to destroy the church. 

Paul was violent, the Greek word that Paul used a means “proud and insolent.” A modern equivalent might be “bully.” It conveys the idea of a haughty man “throwing his weight around” in violence.

The basic causes of his godless behavior were “ignorance” and “unbelief.” Even though Saul of Tarsus was a brilliant man and well educated, his mind was blinded from the truth. He was a religious man, yet he was not headed for heaven! It was not until he put faith in Jesus Christ that he was saved.

Acts 22:3 NIV “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.

How could the holy God ever save and forgive such a self-righteous sinner?

1 Timothy 1:13‭-‬15 NIV Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

The key words are mercy and grace. God in His mercy did not give Paul what he did deserve; instead, God in His grace gave Paul what he did not deserve.

Paul said that before he was ignorant. Is ignorance an excuse before God? Of course not! When we studied Leviticus we learned that you still had to bring a sacrifice even if you sinned unknowingly.  If a person sinned in ignorance, they were permitted to bring the proper sacrifices to atone for his sins.

Leviticus 5:15 NIV anyone is unfaithful to the Lord by sinning unintentionally in regard to any of the Lord’s holy things, they are to bring to the Lord as a penalty a ram from the flock, one without defect and of the proper value in silver, according to the sanctuary shekel. It is a guilt offering.

Numbers 15:22‭-‬24 NIV "‘Now if you as a community unintentionally fail to keep any of these commands the Lord gave Moses— any of the Lord’s commands to you through him, from the day the Lord gave them and continuing through the generations to come— and if this is done unintentionally without the community being aware of it, then the whole community is to offer a young bull for a burnt offering as an aroma pleasing to the Lord, along with its prescribed grain offering and drink offering, and a male goat for a sin offering.

Jesus recognized this principle when He prayed on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”. Their ignorance did not save them, nor did Christ’s prayer save them, but the combination of the two postponed God’s judgment, giving them an opportunity to be saved.

Paul stated that it took “exceedingly abundant” grace to save him! Paul made it clear that this salvation was not for him only, but for all who receive Jesus Christ.

If Jesus could save Saul of Tarsus, the chief of sinners, then He can save anybody!

1 Timothy 1:15 NIV Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

Paul's Letters to Timothy and Titus - Session 1 Introduction to I Timothy

 

The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group  is studying Paul's pastoral Epistles (Letters) to his proteges, Timothy and Titus.

These are the notes to the first session of this study an Introduction to the first letter to Timothy, I Timothy.  In 1 Timothy Paul is writing to Timothy, who is in Ephesus, to encourage him in the task of leading that church. He gives Timothy a lot of advice both for the Christians in the church and for Timothy himself. 

In 1 Timothy, Paul  gave Timothy quite a list of subjects to teach, including: exposure of false doctrines, myths and genealogies; law; sound doctrine; the glorious Gospel; mercy; truth; dedication; prayer; harmony; women's dress and appearance; marriage and dietary practices; qualifications for leaders; conduct; sayings, truths of the faith; the practice of religion; relationships with fellow Christians; treatment of widows; ways to select elders; contentment; righteousness; faith; love; endurance; hope in God; and doing good,  that's a lot and we are going to talk about all of it. 

 

Introduction 

1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus are often called pastoral Epistles because they contain Paul’s counsel to pastors or leaders in the Church.  In 1 Timothy, Paul counseled Timothy, a Church leader in Ephesus, to ensure that sound doctrine was taught and not to allow popular untruths to distract from Christ’s teachings. He taught Timothy about the offices of bishop and deacon and discussed the qualifications of those who serve in these offices. Though this counsel pertains to specific offices in the early Church, much of it is applicable to all men and women who serve in the Church today. 

The first letter to Timothy and the one to Titus were written during the period of travel and missionary work between Paul's two Roman imprisonments probably somewhere between a.d. 61 and 63.  

The Wycliffe Bible Commentary

Timothy was the son of a Gentile father and a Jewish mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois, 

2 Timothy 1:5 (NKJV)  when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 

They and Timothy probably became Christians when Paul first went to the town called Lystra.   

Acts 16:1 (NKJV)  Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. 

Since children of Jewish mothers are reckoned as Jews, Timothy could have been a full Jew. His mother raised him to know the Jewish Scriptures 

2 Timothy 3:15 (NKJV)  and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 

But Timothy’s father was a Greek, and because of him Timothy had never been circumcised because he had never been circumcised the Jews considered him a Gentile.

Acts 16:1-3 (NKJV) Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek.2  He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.3  Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek.  

Now we know that Paul didn’t think that circumcision was a requirement for believers, he didn’t think it was either good or bad 

Galatians 5:2‭-‬6 NIV Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

So why did he take Timothy to be circumcised?

He may have thought that Timothy would be more effective as an evangelist as a full Jew so he did what he thought was most expedient for the gospel.  It was kind of the same thing that he told the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians let’s go to:

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NKJV)19  For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;20  and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;21  to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;22  to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.23  Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

In 1 Timothy Paul is writing to Timothy, who is in Ephesus, to encourage him in the task of leading that church. He gives Timothy a lot of advice both for the Christians in the church and for Timothy himself. 

There were some problems with some of the teaching and teachers there and Paul wants Timothy to sort out this problem.  

1 Timothy 1:3 (NKJV) As I urged you when I went into Macedonia--remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 

Timothy needs to deal with those in error.  

In 1 Timothy, Paul  gave Timothy quite a list of subjects to teach, including: exposure of false doctrines, myths and genealogies; law; sound doctrine; the glorious Gospel; mercy; truth; dedication; prayer; harmony; women's dress and appearance; marriage and dietary practices; qualifications for leaders; conduct; sayings, truths of the faith; the practice of religion; relationships with fellow Christians; treatment of widows; ways to select elders; contentment; righteousness; faith; love; endurance; hope in God; and doing good,  that's a lot and we are going to talk about all of it. 

Paul was concerned about Timothy communicating sound doctrine, mercy, commitment, conduct, and truth plus a whole new way of life.  A new way of life in which shaped beliefs, attitudes, values, and behavior

Paul evidently had a lot of confidence in Timothy because Ephesus was a very important city in the Roman empire and consequently in the Gentile world.  

Ephesus was in what is now Turkey.  The city flourished after it came under the control of the Roman Republic in 129 BC. According to estimates Ephesus had a population of 33,600 to 56,000 people in the Roman period, making it the third largest city and the most strategic city in Roman Asia Minor.

The city was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. 

Because the temple of Artemis was in Ephesus Paul had big problems there. In Acts 19 there is an account of a majormriot because the merchants selling the the trinkets and stuff for  Artemis at the temple saw their sales drop because of the new converts to Christianity. 

Acts 19:23‭-‬27 NIV About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”

Acts 20:1 NIV When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia.

Paul had turned over the leadership of the church in Ephesus, the most strategic in Asia Minor, to Timothy, a bright, sensitive associate. Timothy was about forty years old at that time, which was considered young for such leadership.

“All Religion Is Not Alike”

With that as background let’s get into today’s study of 1 Timothy Chapter 1.

Let me give you an example from today that describes what was going on in and around the church in Ephesus.  

There was a poster with the headline Christ Consciousness—Mystical Teachings in the Bible," "The mystical core of Christ's teaching has been obscured by centuries of dogma," .  The poster was inviting Christians to come to lectures by a young lady who follows a Hindu sect. Some Christian leaders, dismayed by a low level of commitment, seek to create high-intensity groups with special teachings on top of the gospel and add extra rules that regulate the social lives of their members.

Those were the kinds of thing that were rampant in the church at Ephesus. It was these trends that Paul sent Timothy to Ephesus to deal with.

Read 1 Timothy 1:3-6 (HCSB) to describe Timothy’s job in Ephesus  As I urged you when I went to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach different doctrine or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan, which operates by faith. Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Some have deviated from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion.

Timothy’s job was to provide sound teaching to combat the false teachings of some in the church.  The myths and genealogies were probably Gnostic or Gnostic teachings. 

What is Gnostic or proto-Gnostic teaching?  We talked about that in an earlier Bible Study but to review;

A Gnostic was a member of any of certain sects among the early Christians who claimed to have superior knowledge of spiritual matters, and explained the world as created by powers or agencies arising as emanations from the Godhead.  An emanation is an abstract but perceptible thing that issues or originates from a source.

Gnostics believed that matter, whether it be the physical universe or the human body, is evil. They believed that God is far removed from his creation. He did not create the material universe because it was instead created by an evil or lesser god.  He is too perfect and pure to have much to do with the evilness of the material universe.

Gnostics believed that human beings were of the very same spiritual substance (or essence) that God is but somehow, we  became trapped in our physical bodies from which we need to escape.

"As long as spirits are trapped in physical bodies and materiality, they will be subject to sin, which is caused by ignorance of their true nature and home."

Gnostics believed that  "salvation is to escape from the bondage of the material existence and travel back to the home from which souls/spirits have fallen.

Gnostics considered themselves Christians and saw Jesus as a heavenly messenger. However, they rejected the idea of God becoming a man, dying and rising bodily. "These beliefs were considered unspiritual and against true wisdom because they entangled spirit with matter." Most Gnostics believe that whoever entered Jesus at his baptism left him before he died on the cross.

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 would never take on human flesh so  Christ must be a lower intermediary or an "appearance"—a shadow of God cast on a screen. But God in human flesh? Gnostics this was Unthinkable!

This heresy considered the body, and all matter, to be evil and, therefore, denied Christ's humanity.

 What materials were the false teachers using ?

The material they used was Old Testament genealogies and other myths and writings about the Old Testament. The Old Testament is referred to here as "the law."

Here is what Paul said about the law.

1 Timothy 1:8-11 (HCSB)8  But we know that the law is good, provided one uses it legitimately.9  We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers,10  for the sexually immoral and homosexuals, for kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching11  based on the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was entrusted to me. 

Paul reminds Timothy that the law is not laid down for good men but for people involved in the activities listed, it would seem the false teachers were using it with the wrong group. They were pushing some kind of legalism on believers who were basically obedient already.

Paul’s testimony that he used to be just like the folk he just talked about as wanting to be teachers of the law but not really understanding what they were talking about. 

1 Timothy 1:12-17 (HCSB)12  I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry—13  one who was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief.14  And the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.15  This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them.16  But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst ⌊of them⌋, Christ Jesus might demonstrate His extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life. 17  Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.  

Much like the false teachers, Paul, prior to his conversion, misused the law. He lacked grace, faith and love. But God had mercy on him, and he became a new man. Paul is showing, in this context, that God redeems false teachers. In the process, he describes what a relationship with God is really based on: the mercy, grace, faith and love "that are in Christ Jesus"

1 Timothy 1:12‭-‬14 HCSB I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry — one who was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Paul is looking back to his experience on the road to Damascus. He was on his way to attack the Christians there. Up to that time, Paul denied that Jesus could be either Messiah or the *Lord. But the Lord Jesus Christ met him and so Paul believed in him. From that time, the Lord Jesus trusted Paul and sent him to declare the gospel. Paul was astonished at this, and he was so grateful to the Lord for it.

Before his encounter with Jesus on the way to Damascus, Paul was sincere. He believed that he served God by persecuting Christians.  He did not know that what he was doing was wrong. He thought that it was his duty to oppose Jesus. He did not believe that Jesus was the Lord and the Christ. But when Jesus met him, Paul was convinced. Then the Lord Jesus Christ showed mercy to him. And he forgave Paul for all that he had done.

It was more than mercy that Paul received from God. He received faith to believe and trust in the Lord Jesus. He received the love of God into his life, so he was able to love the Lord as well. He once hated the Christians but now he loved them.

Paul felt that of all sinners he was the worst. Because he had attacked the Christians with such cruelty. The Lord forgave Paul for all his sins. But Paul still says that he is a sinner. He is a sinner whom God, in his grace, has saved. God has saved him because of his trust in Christ.

Paul was not the first to believe in Christ but his was the most astonishing change.  All who believe in Christ have a new kind of life. They changed as Paul did. Paul’s life was now a powerful example of the grace of God. He sees his own experience as the pattern of what Christ can do. He does it in the lives of all who believe in him. They will be what God wants them to be. As Paul thinks about what he has written, he praises the *Lord.

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