Another good day yesterday...cool enough to get some work done without melting like we have been the last week!
Today we start 1 Timothy- a personal letter from Paul to one of his most valuable colleagues, Timothy. It is believed Timothy is in Ephesus and Paul is in Macedonia (after being released from prison in Rome).
Paul introduces himself and gives his credentials "apostle by God's command" (v 1), not for Timothy's notice, but in case anyone from Ephesus is asking who this Paul person is. Ephesus had become quite a center for false teaching and they had moved away from the church. Paul sent Timothy to Ephesus to "clean up the mess" and it would be a tough job. Paul hoped this letter to Timothy would encourage him to continue the work Paul had started in Ephesus. Remember- Timothy was a resident of Lystra (in Galatia); he was the son of a Greek father and Jewish mother (Eunice)- she (and her mother) did much of the teaching of Jewish scriptures to Timothy (as was the expected job of the mom). Notice that Paul greets Timothy with "grace, peace, and mercy" while in letters to the church he just uses "grace and peace" (v 2b). Not sure if that is significant or not!
Paul realizes that the work is hard and encourages Timothy to stay in Ephesus (v 3). It seems as though Timothy was ready to give up and walk away! Honestly- this happens in ministry often! There were a few times when I was ready to throw in the towel and say forget it! Have you ever been there? Paul reminds Timothy his job is to enforce true doctrine (v 3-4) and not to focus on the mindless business that some people were focused on (family histories and genealogies). One commentary called the family histories "silly distractions" that took away from the importance of the Gospel message that Timothy was trying to teach. With family genealogies comes the question of who is Jewish, who isn't, who should follow the laws, who needs to be circumcised...all those things we have talked about before. And, like we have said, that's not the important part of the message- the message is for all people.
Paul says that it isn't the outward aspects of the law we should be concerned about- it is the inward feelings of love and peace (v 5). One problem in Ephesus is the Jewish legalism again. A true Christian, follower of God, will have a pure heart, a good conscious, and sincere faith- something the law can't produce. The people teaching the false doctrines didn't even really know what they were saying (vv 6-7). They were almost babbling and just using words to sway people away. If you use enough words and talk long enough- you can convince anyone about anything! We all know people like that- they don't know what they are talking about, but they think they know!
Paul is not against the law, he is against the legalists that like to use the law to trivialize people. The purpose of the law, like we have said before, is to show us our sin, not show us a path to righteousness (vv 8-9). The law is for the unrighteous and ungodly people to show them their sin. Paul then goes through a brief list of things people do that goes against God (vv 10-11).
There is a shift, and Paul begins to talk about himself here. He tell's Timothy that God through Christ selected Paul and gave him the strength to teach the Gospel message (v 12). Jesus enabled Paul; God equips those that God selects. Paul puts a slave theme to his service- he isn't a volunteer to do the work, Paul is serving God. Paul brings up his past (v 13) and even with all that, God still selected him to minister! God finds good in all people. Do you believe that? No matter what our past is, God will still use us! Paul is saying that he is probably one of the most unworthy people to teach the Gospel- but God selected him, so Timothy- as bad as he is feeling now and as much as he wants to leave Ephesus, is probably more qualified to teach than Paul. Paul is saying God will use you in Ephesus, Timothy!
V 15 is a powerful statement from Paul used several times in his epistles, "Christ came to save the sinners- of which I am the worst." The first qualification to be a child of God, to be saved by Christ, is to be a sinner! How does that make you feel? And if Paul, one of the worst sinners, was given mercy, how much does that show about God's love and mercy for others (v 16). God's work in us is visible to others around us- God wants people to see the actions and results of God's mercy. Paul closes this small set of lines with an outburst of love and thanksgiving for God (v 17). You can feel the gratitude and love Paul has for God!
Paul commands (some translations say "charge" as in a military battle) to continue to pursue the Gospel in Ephesus and "fight the good fight" (v 18). Timothy has a tough job in front of him, a battle of sorts. It wasn't going to be easy, and he needed to face that battle as a warrior ready for battle. Timothy has faith and a good conscious (v 19), tools needed for the battle. Those who reject Jesus and the Gospel are as good as ruined (shipwrecked). Paul then mentions two people, Hymenaeus and Alexander. We don't know anything about them, other than Paul's mentioning them here. Paul calls them out here, possibly for heresy or disobedience in conduct. Paul excommunicated them (gave them to Satan), the idea is that if you are out of the church, then you have lost the protection of God. Some powerful and hurtful words from Paul! The punishment was removal of protection not an infliction of evil.
So far it looks like Paul is really encouraging Timothy to stay in Ephesus and its going to be a battle! I look forward to see how this turns out!
Enjoy the day and enjoy this different style from Paul!
Shalom+
Pastor Paul
Jack I want to congratulate you on 52 years of marriage that is something to be proud of! Pastor Paul you ask have you ever wanted to throw in the towel? I can't say that I have wanted to throw in the towel but everyone has stuff that they have to work through which is usually so much better than throwing in the towel!
ReplyDeleteI love that God finds good in all people. That certainly is a wish.
I am enjoying learning about Timothy. In my text it says that Timothy was like a son to Paul. I know I have been lucky enough in my life to have friends that are more like family.
There have been a few days when I was just so tired of the opposition that I was ready to say forget it! But, as you said, I decided to work through things and come out better. It is hard though!
DeleteWouldn't it be nice if we could find the good in all people! How about we start "judging" in that way!? Finding good. One of the things I always told kids at school in September- it doesn't matter what people have said about you before you got to my room- we all start with a clean slate and you write what you want on that slate- good or bad. Many of "those kids" responded and end up being good kids!
Paul did treat Timothy like a son; you can feel the genuine care Paul feels. We will see more of that later. I wish all people could have these role models and care givers in their life!
Thanks for the comments Cindy
Paul writes to Timothy that he should keep the church on topic and not let them get carried away by others that try to change what is the important facts that Jesus died to save us from the sins that we commit. Laws are there for us to follow so that we know what the sins are and if we keep the laws we are less apt to sin. . I'm sure we all know that when we get into discussions on any topic with others we can easily get off topic during the discussion I think that was what Paul was telling Timothy to not let happen. The important thing is to remember what we were discussing to begin with.
ReplyDeleteCorrect- Keep focused on what is important- God and faith. Don't get hung up with the "unimportant: things! The point Paul was trying to make is stay focused on developing and growing the church while fighting the opposition- the false prophets that were teaching bad doctrine.
DeleteThanks for the thoughts Clara
How fortunate Timothy was to have someone write a letter that is meant as so much encouragement to him. I think that everyone needs encouragement and someone who helps them keep it together when times are tough. I wonder how often people got letters in those days. Maybe this letter was a very special gift.
ReplyDeletePaul admits that he was a person that needed to change his ways. He kind of says, if I can do it, you can too. We all are sinners saved by grace. God loves everyone and wants us all to have the faith and humility that can lead to salvation.
Personal letters are so important. I always enjoy getting a card or something in the mail. My wife is great about sending birthday/ anniversary cards to friends and family. It shows that they are important enough for us to take time our of our day. The art of letter writing has been forgotten I think! When our kids were young, they would write letters to Grandpa and Grandma on a somewhat regular basis.
DeleteAlso- good point- these letters were probably deemed extra special as people probably didn't get letters often- cost of paper, ink, "shipping" was probably quite expensive!
That's exactly what Paul was saying- if I can change- so can you!
Good points Cathy!
I like that this letter is giving us an insight to Paul and Timothy's relationship! In my translations in vs. 8 it says "But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully." But then in vs. 9 says "Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient..." Vs 9 seems to be the opposite of vs. 8 and different then what Paul normally says. And we have had discussion about how the law is there to show us when we sin - which I think as well! Also, in vs. 13 in my translations, Paul says "Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief." I know we have had discussions on how Paul says the ignorant will be judged but this says Paul received mercy BECAUSE he was ignorant and an unbeliever??? So once we know and believe we will be judged differently? I see that there has been some prophecies about Timothy?
ReplyDeleteThe point Paul is trying to say in vv 8-9 is that if we are "good" the law does nothing for us; if we are disobedient/bad- the laws shows us how to be good and points out our faults/sins. The idea of the law is to keep us good.
ReplyDeleteI think that believers are judged by a higher standard. God expects more from us. Aren't we the same- you do good work and you end up getting more work to do!
Re: prophecies about Timothy- I don't know if they were real prophecies as we think of them or more like people affirming that Timothy was a good kid and a faithful servant, therefore they could see him growing deeper in the church? Thoughts?
Good questions Donna!