A Good Servant of Christ Jesus
Notes
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Set the word of God before the people
Set the word of God before the people
Explaining the truth to the church
VERSE 6 - The priority of a good servant of Jesus Christ
“You will be doing your duty as Christ’s minister if you remind your church members of these things (false teaching), and you will show yourself as one who owes his strength to the truth of the faith he has absorbed and the sound teaching he has followed.” —JB Philips
The good servant makes the word of God known by instructing them
To lay down, place under them
to present (mind) v. — to bring forward and present to the mind.
to present (mind) v. — to bring forward and present to the mind.
The good servant nourishes himself in the word of God (words of faith)
The servant must first be nourished in the faith and follow the doctrines he has learned
Nourish is to be trained up or in, to educate
The good servant is trained up in the good doctrine
A good servant knows good doctrine and warns about bad doctrine
The good servant carefully (faithfully) follows what he believes
His behavior in his walk matches his words of belief
You can never get to much of God’s word nor follow it to closely
Exercise godliness
Remove and put into place
VERSE 7 - Reject irreverent and foolishness myths but train in godliness
“But steer clear of all these stupid Godless fictions. Take time and trouble to keep yourself spiritually fit.” JB Philip
Follow good doctrine but refuse irreverent and foolish myths
Not pay attention, do not heed as in verse 1
Profane is worldly, irreligious, unhallowed, impure
Old wives’ fables is fictitious stories
Not forbidding reading fiction for we know they are not true. He’s referring to fictitious stories that one holds to as true and would base their belief system on
The pursuit of godliness is a priority
Godliness is a reverence for God
Exercise is to train, to discipline oneself, gymnastics or gymnasium
Spiritual fitness, ‘exercise yourself into godliness’ literal John Stott
Spiritual fitness, ‘exercise yourself into godliness’ literal John Stott
Godliness is a reverence for God
Godliness is a reverence for God
Godliness is having the right beliefs about God and the right behavior before God
Fear and love coupled together
Fear and love coupled together
Godliness is a proper respect for the word of God and hence a loving obedience to it’s commands
Exercise is to train, to discipline oneself, gymnastics or gymnasium
Therefore have a spiritually disciplined life that is reaching forth to the do the right things
The greater benefit
VERSE 8 - The value of spiritual fitness out weighs the value of physical fitness
Bodily fitness has a certain value, but spiritual fitness is essential both for this present life and for the life to come.—JB Philips
VERSE 8
Physical training is useful and comes with a little benefit
Physical training is useful with a little benefit
Spiritual fitness promises to be a benefit for all areas of life including the physical
Little benefit
Godliness benefits in every way
A benefit for our present life
The valueSpiritual fitness is beneficial for all areas of life
Promises for this life and promises for eternity
Promises for this life and promises for eternity
I think some Christians believe their going to start living a godly life once they get to heaven but they are not concerned about it now
A benefit for our eternity
Spiritual fitness is beneficial for all areas of life
“In brief, it prepares us for eternity.” — Stott, John. The Message of 1 Timothy and Titus (The Bible Speaks Today Series) . InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
“In brief, it prepares us for eternity.” — Stott, John. The Message of 1 Timothy and Titus (The Bible Speaks Today Series) . InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
I think some Christians believe their going to start living a godly life once they get to heaven but they are not concerned about it now
Third faithful saying worthy to be accepted
VERSE 9 - The third faithful saying
Most like referring to verse 8
This should be remembered and accepted as true by all Christians
It is because we realize the paramount importance of the spiritual that we labour and struggle. We place our whole confidence in the living God, the saviour of all men, and particularly of those who believe in him. These convictions should be the basis of your instruction and teaching. —JB PhilipsThis verse is affirming verse 8
VERSE 10 - Pursuing godliness is worth paying the cost
The benefits of spiritual fitness (both present and eternal) keeps us going through the hard work (labor)
The benefits of spiritual fitness (both present and eternal) keeps us moving through the struggles (suffer reproach, blame, curse, mock)
For this reason we labor (grow weary, tired) and strive (suffer reproach, blame, curse, mock) in pursuing godliness
Our trust or hope in the living of God encourages and strengthens us in the difficult journey
We pursue godliness for our trust (hope) is in the living God
The living God who is the Savior
Who is the only Savior for all men
Who is the only Savior for all men
Savior of all men
Who is the Savior of those who believed
Who is the Savior of those who believed
It is not universalism where that all will eventually be saved either now or hear after. This interpretation would be in direct conflict with all the other plain scriptures about salvation and would be contradictory to their meaning
Fulfill your duty
Some hold that He is the savior to all men in that He gives life and provides for their needs of all. Those who believe experience the special providence of God (Providential interpretation)
The potential-actual interpretation says that God is the Savior of all men in that He desires for them to be saved. He is the only one who can be the Savior. However He is the actual Savior to those who believe.
The temporal-eternal interpretation: “God is the Savior of all men in that on a temporal basis he gives them life and strength, awakens within them high ideas, provides for their pleasure and sustenance, and graciously allows them to live for a time in the light of His countenance.
God is specially the Savior of believers in that he has a special call for them, answers their prayers, and provides for their well-being, not only in this life, but also in the life which is to come.” —Warren Purdy
God is the only Savior there is no other. Everyone has the opportunity in this life to accept His offer of salvation. Therefore, those who have presently received Him as Savior are experiencing that relationship. However, those who continue reject His offer to be their Savior only have this life time to repent and believe. After their death they will no longer be given the opportunity to receive although they will believe ()
VERSE 11 - Fulfill your responsibility
Fulfill it by commanding these things
Fulfill it by teaching these things
Teach these things
Set a good example before the people
Set a good example before the people
VERSE 12 - Set a good example in conduct
VERSE 12
Timothy’s physical age could create a critical attitude in the congregation
to despise v. — to look down on with contempt
Timothy was to meet this potential conflict by living a good example
to despise v. — to look down on with contempt.
Some conflicts for a pastor can come from within the church
Certain areas are out of a Pastor’s control but he is always responsible for the example he sets before the church
Timothy was to set an example in six areas so that the church might respect him and the position he held
His speech (word)
Jesus spoke gracious (kind, beauty) words
So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”
Luke 4:22
Colossians
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Speech free of corruption
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Titus 2:8
sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
Speech that represents the name of Jesus Christ well
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
His way of life or behavior (conduct)
A conduct opposite of the old man
that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
A conduct that is holy
but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
1 Peter
A conduct that is honorable
having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1 Peter
His love
The divine love given by the Holy Spirit
The self-sacrificing love exemplified in Jesus Christ
Love is active
His spirit (omitted in NU)
inclination ⇔ soul n. — a person’s emotional dispositions considered collectively and understood by the seat of emotional faculties, the soul; especially as positively or negatively disposed toward God.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
inclination ⇔ soul n. — a person’s emotional dispositions considered collectively and understood by the seat of emotional faculties, the soul; especially as positively or negatively disposed toward God.
What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
1 Corinthians
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
His faith
Trust in God and in Christ or trustworthiness
Faithfulness
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Galatians
His purity
moral purity n. — the state of being unsullied by sin or moral wrong; especially lacking a firsthand knowledge of evil.
moral purity n. — the state of being unsullied by sin or moral wrong; especially lacking a firsthand knowledge of evil.
Timothy’s example should be something the church members could imitate and in doing so would in reality be imitating Christ
Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.
Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
The main thing
VERSE 13 - Set a good example in the worship service
Paul’s command to Timothy was what he expected to find him doing when he arrives
The early Church’s service would be similar to the synagogue service
The three priorities in public worship
Public reading of the Scriptures
Already by about the middle of the second century these readings were part of the accepted liturgy. Justin Martyr in his First Apology wrote: On the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has finished, the president speaks, instructing and exhorting the people to imitate these good things. —Stott, John. The Message of 1 Timothy and Titus (The Bible Speaks Today Series) . InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.
Nehemiah 8
So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
Luke 4:
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
Exhortation from the Scriptures
Words of encouragement and comfort
But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”
And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
Romans 15:4
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,
Teaching (doctrine) from the Scriptures
till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
Ephesians 4:
The early service would be similar to the synagogue service
Already by about the middle of the second century these readings were part of the accepted liturgy. Justin Martyr in his First Apology wrote: On the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has finished, the president speaks, instructing and exhorting the people to imitate these good things. —Stott, John. The Message of 1 Timothy and Titus (The Bible Speaks Today Series) . InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
Stott, John. The Message of 1 Timothy and Titus (The Bible Speaks Today Series) . InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
VERSE 14 - Timothy’s gift, call, and commission
Timothy’s gift, call, and commission
The Holy Spirit equipped Timothy for his ministry (gift)
for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
To neglect is to be careless with, to disregard, to not matter, to be unconcerned
To neglect the gift would mean was operating independently of the Holy Spirit in the ministry
He/she would be using the wisdom and efforts of the flesh
The Holy Spirit called Timothy to this ministry (prophecy)
Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.
The Holy Spirit commissioned Timothy through the local church (laying on of hands by the leadership)
Stott, John. The Message of 1 Timothy and Titus (The Bible Speaks Today Series) . InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
Paul’s purpose in recalling the circumstances of Timothy’s ordination was to urge him not to ‘neglect’ his gift, but rather to ‘fan’ it ‘into flame’. From this we learn that a charisma is not a static or permanent endowment from God; its human recipient must use it and develop it. True, Timothy was young and inexperienced. But let him remember (and remind others) that God had called him (through the prophetic word), equipped him (through the heavenly gift) and commissioned him (through the presbyters’ hands), and the people will not despise his youth or reject his teaching. —Stott, John. The Message of 1 Timothy and Titus (The Bible Speaks Today Series) . InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
That is, in all three spheres so far mentioned (his example, teaching and gift), it is not only Timothy’s devotion to duty which must be seen, but his ‘constant growth’. —Stott, John. The Message of 1 Timothy and Titus (The Bible Speaks Today Series) . InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
VERSE 15 - Responding to these things (The instructions and commands of God’s word)
Stott, John. The Message of 1 Timothy and Titus (The Bible Speaks Today Series) . InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
Stott, John. The Message of 1 Timothy and Titus (The Bible Speaks Today Series) . InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition. or permanent endowment from God; its human recipient must use it and develop it. True, Timothy was young and inexperienced. But let him remember (and remind others) that God had called him (through the prophetic word), equipped him (through the heavenly gift) and commissioned him (through the presbyters’ hands), and the people will not despise his youth or reject his teaching. —Stott, John. The Message of 1 Timothy and Titus (The Bible Speaks Today Series) . InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
Spend time in the word of God - Meditate on these things
To practice or cultivate or study the word of God
Immerse yourself in the word of God - Give yourself entirely to these things
The word of God must be the governing control of the mind, heart, and body
The result will be a visible progress as a witness to others
VERSE 16 - Be faithful in your beliefs and behavior
Guard your personal life with the word of God
Guard the teachings of the word of God
Guarding your personal life by the word of God will give evidence of your personal salvation
Guarding the truth of the word of God will assure the truth of the gospel will speak to the heart of your hearers
Stott, John. The Message of 1 Timothy and Titus (The Bible Speaks Today Series) . InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
Nevertheless, the reality of our salvation has to be demonstrated in good works of love. It is in this sense that Paul tells us to ‘continue to work out’ our salvation ‘with fear and trembling’. Only those who persevere to the end will be saved. Perseverance is not the meritorious cause, but rather the ultimate evidence, of our salvation. Secondly, how could Timothy save his hearers? Surely only God could save them through Christ? Yes, but the New Testament not infrequently attributes salvation to evangelists, since it is through the gospel they preach that God saves believers. So the ascended Christ could tell Paul that he was sending him to the Gentiles ‘to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God’. Similarly he became ‘all things to all men’, in order that by all possible means he ‘might save some’. Of course Paul could not and did not save anybody. Nor could Timothy. But this is dramatic language which ascribes to evangelists direct the salvation which God himself effects indirectly through the gospel which they proclaim. —Stott, John. The Message of 1 Timothy and Titus (The Bible Speaks Today Series) . InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
Stott, John. The Message of 1 Timothy and Titus (The Bible Speaks Today Series) . InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
Stott, John. The Message of 1 Timothy and Titus (The Bible Speaks Today Series) . InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition. that he was sending him to the Gentiles ‘to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God’.53 Similarly he became ‘all things to all men’, in order that by all possible means he ‘might save some’.54 Of course Paul could not and did not save anybody. Nor could Timothy. But this is dramatic language which ascribes to evangelists direct the salvation which God himself effects indirectly through the gospel which they proclaim. —Stott, John. The Message of 1 Timothy and Titus (The Bible Speaks Today Series) . InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.