1 Timothy 5:17-25, 6:1-21

5:17-20 21-6:2 3-10 11-16 17-21

17-20

17

This section of Paul’s letter goes over how Timothy should interact, commend, and rebuke his fellow elders. Those of his fellow elders who work hard and strive to oversee the church with all of their might are worthy of double honor, or extra praise and commendation, especially those of his fellow servants who labor hard, study and analyse the scriptures in preparation for teaching and preaching. All elders are called to be able to teach the mysteries of God’s word but not all my do so and are better suited for more of the managerial tasks of leading the church.

18

Paul quotes from Deuteronomy 25:4 and Luke 10:7 here saying that those who labor for the church should be compensated, the ox as it is working the field should not be restricted from eating of the grain while it works. The quote from Luke say this even more clearer, those who labor, or work deserve their wages. Paul quoting and referring to the section in Luke is also significant as Paul says “For the Scripture says” and goes on to quote from the Gospel of Luke, Paul is affirming here that Luke’s writings are Scripture and given from God as Peter does of Paul’s writings in 2 Peter 3:15–16 “And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.”

19

From commending the hard working elder to how to handle the wayward one, the level of proof needed to charge an elder in wrongdoing, or sin, is no different than any other member of the church. There must be more than one witness to the charge against the elder and so this is a protection, just as it is any other member, a protection from one person that may have a grudge or personal issue with the other member or elder and bringing a false claim.

20

But if there is an abundance of proof of the charge against the elder and he persists in sin after the confrontation from the two or three witnesses, especially if he is guilty of conduct that would violate the qualifications of being an elder laid out in chapter 3, he is to be rebuked in front of the entire congregation as an example to all that no one is beyond or above church discipline.

21-6:2

21

Paul gives Timothy some instructions on how to apply all of the counsel he has given so far in this letter. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, do nothing from partiality. Paul is calling of the entirety of the heavenly host, God the Father, God the Son, and the elect angels, those angels that did not follow Lucifer and fall in to becoming demons. Paul is giving this command with some weight behind it, Timothy is to be fair and unbiased, never jumping to conclusions or making rash decisions or any decisions without hearing, considering, and praying about what is to be done.

22

The laying on of hands is referring to installing men into church offices, elder/pastor/overseer, and deacon. A practice from the Old Testament of the laying on of hands on the sacrificial animals to identify with it, Exodus 29:10 ““Then you shall bring the bull before the tent of meeting. Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the bull.” and many other passages. The laying on of hands for church office signifies that you are familiar with the candidate and affirm his qualification of the office he is being installed into and this should never be done in haste, and should be carefully considered and prayed over. Paul also gives a warning to not participate in the sins of others, do not be susceptible to peer pressure or going with the crowd into sin and keep himself pure.

23

Timothy was apparently known for not drinking any alcohol in order to keep himself pure and free from sin, but Paul advises him to mix some wine in, not for the intoxicating affects of it but as a way to sterilize the water, as Timothy was often ill from drinking water that was impure, there were no water treatment facilities back then and the alcohol would disinfect and kill off the harmful bacteria that was in the water. Paul here is concerned for Timothy’s health but also knew that if he was constantly sick he could not effectively carry out his duties.

24

Paul continues his counsel on elders reminding him that while some sins are out in the open thus disqualifying those, some remain hidden, but they will not remain hidden forever. Another reason to take care about installing overseers and not be hasty or quick to making a decision.

25

But also the same is true of good works, some of the good works done are easy to see, but some good works are done more anonymously but the fruit will show through in the end. So Paul’s council on elders is to be fair and impartial, patient in judgement, and to take care in installing those that will have charge over the souls of whom they oversee, for the benefit of the flock and the overseer, to whom the responsibility to lead and teach is given he will answer to God on his leading and teaching.

6:1

Six one and two are not really in the same thought section as the last part of chapter 5 and are not part of the next thought that starts in verse 3, but these two verses are instruction of the responsibility of the Christian bondservant, or slave to their masters. The bondservant of the first century Rome was closer in relationship of the employer/employee relationship of today than the master/slave relationship that we may think of from the modern day/civil war era. They were indentured servants but were better off that the day laborers as much of their food, clothing, and shelter were provided by their masters. Paul’s council here is the same as in his other epistles, show honor to those in power over you so that through the honoring of your master you will honor God.

2

And more so for those who have Christian masters, showing respect and honor to them as masters over you and also brothers in Christ along side you. For us today we can easily replace master for employer as the pattern of how we are to live and be as employees.

3-10

3-4

If anyone, anyone, teaches what is not contained in the scriptures, adds too it, teaches what is in the scriptures but leaves out parts so that the meaning is changed, removes from it, or twists what the scriptures say, teaches these lies from a conceited heart that only wants to make him or herself greater and the word lesser, instead of how it should be, magnifying the word and humbling ones self to insignificance, those people understands nothing, a polite way to say that they are dumb. These people live only to cause problems and live for controversy and animosity with others.

5

They use their twisted views of scripture to make themselves rich, and powerful. They tickle the ears of those who want to seem righteous but do not love the actual words of God because it shines a bright light onto their sin. These people want the riches of this fallen world.

6

Instead of what the true riches are, holiness and eternal life being the adopted sons and daughters of God.

7

We are created things, in iniquity were we born, we created nothing, not even good deeds from our own, and we will take nothing with us when we die, from dust we were created and to dust will we return.

8

So while we are on this earth we should be content with having our basic needs supplied, food and clothing, and I would add the word of God also to our basic needs.

9

Those who desire more than what is really needed, wealth, possessions, or notoriety fall into temptation to gain these non-necessities that lead to compromising the faith and then to ruin.

10

The love of money is the root of all kinds of evils. Having money, saving prudently to provide the basic needs is not evil but the love of money is. You can be destitute and still love money, and you can be wealthy and be a solid believer in the faith. The love of money, compromising the faith to hold onto your money and making money an idol in your life, is the issue.

11-16

11

As for us, the man or woman of God, the believers, we are to flee the love of money, false teachings, and all of what Paul has warned about. We are to pursue what God has told us to do, righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness or unwavering in our belief, and gentleness.

12

The beginning of verse 12 Paul foreshadows some of his last words in 2 Timothy as he awaited execution. He tells us to fight the good fight of the faith and in 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Keeping the faith in this fallen word does take us fighting, not only the world around us but our own sinful flesh, but we know what we have waiting for us at the end of the race, eternal life and eternal peace with God.

13

Jesus’ confession before Pontius Pilate was that he truly was the King of the Jews and the Messiah. John 18:33–37 “So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over 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 have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.””

14

Paul urges us to be above reproach, to live a good and righteous life until our death or the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15

And Jesus will return but not on our timetable, on his, at the proper time when our sovereign God has recieved all that he has chosen to be saved are recieved in the faith the King of kings and Lord of lords will return.

16

At that time our immortal saviour will come from where he is now, at the right hand of the Father, who is holy and brighter than any sun or star, a spirit that sinful man cannot and will never see while we are in our sinful flesh, to God be all honor and glory and his kingdom will be eternal, in it length and in glory, amen.

17-21

17

Paul at the close of the letter to Timothy give a few final warnings and instructions, charge those who are materially wealthy not to think highly of themselves because of the material possessions that they have stored up in this world. They are not to set their hopes in these possessions but place all of their hope and faith in God, who will provide everything we need in this world in preparation for the next one.

18

They are to use what they have in service of God and be rich in good works.

19

And in their good works storing up eternal treasures, this is not suggesting that the rich can buy their way to heaven, good works done for the glory of God take no money, no earthly possessions to do.

20-21

Paul closes with the final instructions to Timothy personally, to keep and guard what talents and gifts God has given him, his ability to teach the word of God and to avoid the nonsense of the world that they claim is knowledge, by which some have strayed away from the faith.