First Timothy 5:17-20

17 – Timothy and the elders in the church

17 The elders who lead well must be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor by speaking and teaching. 18 For the scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox while it is threshing,” and “The worker is worthy of his wages.” 19 Do not accept an accusation against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 Reprove those who sin in the presence of all, in order that the rest also may experience fear.

(LEB)

In the third chapter of Paul’s letter we have seen the qualifications needed to become an elder, Paul now returns to this subject. Being an elder, pastor or minister in a church is a difficult and often lonesome place to be. The brethren have a tendency to lack respect and to quickly bring accusations against them. This should not be so and this section clearly denotes this.

17 The elders who lead well must be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor by speaking and teaching. 

‘Elders’ (PRESBUTEROS) means: an elder, a senior, a Christian presbyter. They were the ones who were responsible before the Lord for the health of the church (Acts 20:28). The elders were called to ‘lead well’. The word ‘lead’ (PROISTEMI) means: to stand before, to provide, to rule. They were the ones who were the shepherds of God’s flock. Peter gives a clear job description for these men:

1 Peter 5

1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:

2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;

3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;

4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

(NKJV)

When Paul writes ‘who lead well’ it gives the idea that there were some elders who did not lead well or he would have simply written: ‘The elders must be considered…’. Unfortunately, there are men who are in this type of leadership who really do not belong there. This always causes trouble in the church.

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If you are ever considered to become an elder, please refrain from doing so if your intentions are not as godly as they should! For those who do lead well, Paul tells Timothy that they must be ‘considered worthy of double honor’. Timothy needed to know that they ‘must be considered’. The words ‘considered worthy’ (AXIOO) mean: desire, think good, count worthy. He had to look at these men differently and think of them as worthy workers of the Lord and not as ‘hired hands’ or someone who just does their job but as precious because of the responsibility they bear.

Paul speaks of a ‘double honor’. The word ‘double’ (DIPLOUS) means: two-fold and the word ‘honor’ (TIME) means: a value, money paid, esteem. These elders, who were good leaders, were to receive double the honor given to another person. I believe that it happens often that a pastor, elder, minister does not get the honor that he should not that one should bow down before him and kiss his ring but be especially respectful.

(v.17) …especially those who labor by speaking and teaching. 

There might have been different ‘types’ of elders ministering in relationship with the spiritual gifts they had received. Paul places special emphasis on a certain group of elders. They were the ones who ‘labor’ (KOPIAO) meaning: to feel fatigued, to work hard, to toil. Some specialized in ‘speaking and teaching’ – this was their spiritual gifting. The word ‘speaking’ (LOGOS) means: something said, the divine expression and the word ‘teaching’ (DIDASKALIA) means: instruction, doctrine. It was these men who were to be given a ‘double honor’. As we have seen before, the teaching of doctrine has always been very important for the health of the church. Remember what Paul wrote to the Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 14

18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;

19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

NKJV

To make this point very clear, the apostle Paul first of all refers back to the Old Testament to show that this is truly the desire of God for these men.

18 For the scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox while it is threshing,” and “The worker is worthy of his wages.”

When Paul talks about ‘the scripture’ (GRAPHE) meaning: Holy writ, Holy Scriptures, he means the Old Testament. The cannon of the New testament had not yet been finished. His source to prove a point was the Word of God and this should always be the same for all true believers. We must go to the Scriptures like the Bereans did:

Acts 17

10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.

11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

NKJV

His first reference comes from Deuteronomy 25:4 where the Lord God wanted people to treat their working animals well by leaving them the capacity to eat grass as they moved along. If this was so for animals it was even more so for those who worked for the Lord by teaching and preaching! His second reference comes from the Lord Jesus when he spoke in Luke 10:7. This is when he told his disciples to go and preach the ‘Good News’ and told them to eat and drink whatever is given to them, for a worker deserves his wages.

There was an old saying in many churches that said something like this: ‘A pastor should have a meager wage to be a good shepherd because this would keep him in prayer on his knees before the Lord’. As we have seen this philosophy of remunerating the pastor very little DOES NOT come from the Lord but from the hardened heart of man.

19 Do not accept an accusation against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 Reprove those who sin in the presence of all, in order that the rest also may experience fear.

Paul continues to discuss the work of the elders and speaks of two different subjects that concern them. The first has to do with accusations that are brought against them. Elders, pastors and ministers are too often the target of mean and false accusations and Paul tells Timothy what to do when this happens. He writes ‘do not’ (ME) meaning: a negation, never, no. This must never be done- to ‘accept an accusation’. The word ‘accept’ (PARADECHOMAIS) means: to accept near, to admit, to receive. People may have brought to the attention of Timothy certain grievances, certain ‘accusations’ (KATEGORIA) meaning: a complaint, a criminal charge. Timothy needed to disregard these grievances ‘except on the evidence of two or three witnesses’. The need of two or three witnesses to condemn a person dates from the Old Testament as we see in the following verse:

Deuteronomy 19

15 "One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.

NKJV

What God is saying is that there needs to be a thorough investigation when it comes to accusing anyone and that one witness is not enough. These two or three people needed to be ‘witnesses’ (MARTUS) meaning: a witness, of the event.

20 Reprove those who sin in the presence of all, in order that the rest also may experience fear.

If an elder was caught sinning what should be done? Since he is an elder should the congregation ‘turn aside’ and not keep him accountable? Quite the contrary Paul tells Timothy to ‘reprove those who sin’. The word ‘reprove’ (ELEGCHO) means: to admonish, to convict, to rebuke. Whether it be an elder, pastor or minister this man is not above the standards of God! He must be admonished and reprehended. Is this to be done in the pastor’s office just between the Board of Elders? Is this to be kept secret? NO – Paul writes ‘in the presence of all’. The word ‘presence’ (ENOPION) means: in the face of, in the presence of. This should be done publicly, in the presence of the church body. There is a reason for this public discipline. This is not that he should be willingly humiliated before all but ‘in order that the rest also may experience fear’. The words ‘in order that’ (HINA) mean: in order that, so as, to the intent that. There was a real reason for doing so and this was ‘that the rest also may experience fear’. Who are the ‘rest’ (LOIPOY) that Paul speaks of? I believe it could be two groups of people in the church.

The first is the ‘rest’ of the elders. Seeing that one of their comrades was disciplined this would make them think twice before venturing on sin’s road. Paul writes that they need to ‘experience fear’ (PHOBOS) meaning: to be put under fear, alarm or fright. Even if they were elders, the leaders of the church, they needed to fear the consequence of sinning. The second ‘rest’ would be everybody else in the congregation. People needed to see that sin is sin and if you practice sin you will be openly disciplined. They needed to know that there were no exceptions to this rule.

Paul knew what he was talking about. Sinners need to be reproved according to God’s will, whoever they may be. Do you remember when the apostle Peter came to Galatia and sinned by being a hypocrite before the congregation? Do you remember what Paul did?

Galatians 2

11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed;

12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.

13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?

NKJV

Even Peter needed to be rebuked publicly!

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First Timothy 5:21-25

18 – Paul’s charge to Timothy

 21 I testify solemnly before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing according to partiality. 22 Lay hands on no one hastily, and do not participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. 23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach and your frequent illnesses.) 24 The sins of some people are evident, preceding them to judgment, but for some also they follow after them. 25 Likewise also good works are evident, and those considered otherwise are not able to be hidden.

(LEB)

All that Paul had reminded Timothy to do was extremely important and absolutely needed to be applied in his ministry. As with ALL the commands of God, they need to be applied in our lives also. Believers do this for the glory of the Lord but also for our own benefit.

 21 I testify solemnly before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing according to partiality. 

Here we see that Paul gives another charge to his son in the faith. The words ‘testify solemnly’ (DIAMARTUROMAI) means: to attest or protest earnestly, to testify. Paul was sincerely and seriously telling Timothy how to take care of the church. He was so serious that he witnessed this ‘before God’ (THEOS) meaning: the supreme God and also before ‘Christ Jesus’ (CHRISTOS) meaning: the anointed, the Messiah and before ‘the elect angels’. The word ‘elect’ (EKLEKTOS) means: to select, favorite, chosen, elect and the word ‘angels’ (AGGELOS) means: a messenger, especially an angel.

Please notice that this testimony is in the context of judging elders that sin. Paul reminds Timothy that he absolutely needs to judge elders. To emphasise this, he speaks of the Father, the Son and elect angels. Are these ‘elect angels’ elected to judge (as the Father and the Son are able to) or elected as certain children of Adam are? I am not certain but we do see that the Father, the Son and certain angels are sometimes grouped together when judgment is mentioned (Mat. 25:31; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26; Rev. 14:10).

As we have seen, it was very important for Timothy to ‘observe these things’. The word ‘observe’ (PHULASSO) means: to watch, to be on guard, to obey. Timothy had to obey them ‘without prejudice’. This is very difficult to do and that is why Paul reminds Timothy that he has no choice, he has to publicly admonish elders before the congregation.

The word ‘without’ (CHORIS) means: separately, apart from, without and the word ‘prejudice’ (PROKRIMA) means: a prejudgment, to prefer one before. Timothy needed to forget who that person was and to judge without any preconceived perception. May we also remember that God is not prejudiced.

Acts 10

34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.

NKJV

Paul ends this verse by saying: ‘doing nothing according to partiality.’ The word ‘doing’ (POIEO) means: to make or to do. Nothing that you do should be done with ‘partiality’ (PROSKLISIS) meaning: a leaning towards, favoritism. You must be honest in all of your dealings. This includes the ones that are trivial and also the ones that are important. Actually, the more difficult the judgments are the more important it is to do them right away - before the Father, Son and elect angels. As with Timothy, even if we are not in his position, all children of God are called to be without prejudice in all they do.

22 Lay hands on no one hastily, and do not participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. 

The second charge to Timothy also deals with elders or those in leadership. Paul tells him not to ‘lay hands’ (EPITITHEMI) meaning: to impose, to lay upon, to set on. As we have seen in 1 Tim. 4:14, the council of the elders had laid hands on Timothy. This was their manifestation of agreement concerning Timothy and the official commission of Timothy for ministry. We also see that Paul speaks of his own laying of the hands on Timothy:

2 Timothy 1

6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

NKJV

Here we see that Timothy receives a spiritual gift through this. So, the laying of the hands on a person was a ‘seal of approval’ of the value of this person. That is why Paul tells Timothy not to do this ‘hastily’ (TACHEOS) meaning: speedily, rapidly, quickly. Timothy needed to take his time and see the fruits of repentance in a person’s life before he would officially call someone in ministry. How often we see this in churches today! New people are called into key positions simply because they have the ability to do things.

The third charge has to do with sinning. Paul warns Timothy ‘not to participate in the sins of others’. This should be a given and yet Paul reminds Timothy! Are we not all in need of being reminded not to sin! Paul writes ‘not to’ (MEDE) meaning: but not, not even, no, not once. You can see that Paul is very direct – don’t do this! He did not want Timothy to ‘participate in the sins of others’. The word ‘participate’ (KOINONEO) means: to share with others, be a partaker of. If some were lazy do not be lazy, if some were gossiping do not gossip. In other words: don’t do what others do unless it is godly! Be holy in speech, thought and action. Don’t let yourself slip, don’t open the gate that is wide – stay on the narrow path! It is so easy for true believers to let themselves go and just be like everybody else but we shouldn’t do this!

To counter act this sin Paul writes ‘keep yourself pure’. It is interesting to understand that we are the ones who keep ourselves pure. This is in the sense that we need to make the right decisions or right choices in our everyday life. We are responsible for ourselves before the Lord. No one will be able to say ‘I had no choice but sin’ or ‘he made me sin’ or ‘everybody else did it’. We need to keep ourselves ‘pure’. The context is not imitating the sins of others. Beloved, if you have friends or relatives who act in an ungodly manner it is up to you not to follow them in their sin!

23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach and your frequent illnesses.) 

It seems as though this verse was just ‘dropped’ there without any kind of affiliation with the rest of the section. As you can see this verse is in parenthesis while other versions have no parenthesis at all – some do and some don’t, it all depends on how you read the text. If you consider verses twenty-four and twenty-five as a continuation of verse twenty-two – then verse twenty-three looks a bit out of place. On the other hand, if you see no link between these two sections then there is no problem since Paul finishes with verse twenty-two, then speaks about Timothy’s health and then finishes by speaking about the evidence of the believer’s good works.

As you can easily see, Paul is worried about Timothy’s health. He talks about Timothy’s ‘frequent illnesses’. The word ‘frequent’ (PUKNOS) means: frequent, often. What was happening to Timothy was frequently happening. Unfortunately, he was stricken with ‘illnesses’ (ASTHENEIA) meaning: feebleness, malady, sickness. Timothy did not seem to have a strong metabolism and he suffered from this regularly. What I would like to point out is the courage that Timothy had. Even though he was often sick, he persevered in ministry. He did not let his condition control his life. Too often Christians at the slightest sign of illness will stop participating in God’s work until their health gets 100% better. A believer should do as Timothy and simply carry on.  

The problem with Timothy’s health was rooted in the water that he drank. Water was not filtered like we have it today! There were good sources of water and sometimes there were not. Have you ever drank water that was not safe? I have and I landed up at the doctor being terribly ill! I can only imagine how Timothy felt when this would happen. Paul tells him to ‘no longer drink only water, but use a little wine’. To remedy his problem in regards to the water he drank, Paul tells him to add ‘a little wine’. Stop only drinking water and take a little (not a lot but a little) wine. This should not be taken as a verse that allows Christians to go out and drink! This verse is in the context of an illness and only a little is to be taken.

24 The sins of some people are evident, preceding them to judgment, but for some also they follow after them. 25 Likewise also good works are evident, and those considered otherwise are not able to be hidden.

A good portion of this letter dealt with the way that one ought to conduct himself as a Christian, how God expects his children to live by, especially those who are in office. Having this in mind, Paul ends this chapter with a thought that we all should consider everyday. Paul juxtaposes works of sin and good works. In verse twenty-four he speaks of ‘the sins of some people’. The word ‘sins’ (HAMARTIA) means: a sin, an offense. The offenses Paul is referring to are those done towards God. For some people they are ‘evident’ (PRODELOS) which means: plain before all men, manifest. A person who is drunk is drunk before all men, everyone can see him. Some sins are like that, everyone can tell you are sinning. Theirs sin is ‘preceding them’. The word ‘preceding’ (PROAGO) means: to lead forward, to precede in place or time. Their sins are so evident that they are always ‘seen’ when they arrive somewhere. This is a bit like a bad reputation that follows you wherever you go. Their sins will bring them ‘to judgment’ (KRISIS) meaning: a tribunal, accusation, damnation. It does not seem to be the final judgment that Paul is speaking about but being judged here because of one’s crimes. For some, their sins will ‘follow after them’. This gives the idea that some sins only come forth after a while. One does not see them right away but with time they become evident.

25 Likewise also good works are evident, and those considered otherwise are not able to be hidden.

The opposite is also true. For some, their ‘good works’ are evident! The word ‘good’ (KALOS) means: beautiful, good, valuable and the word ‘works’ (ERGON) means: to work, toil labor. Blessed are they who manifest good works day after day, that live in the light and glorify the Lord with their life. But there are also those who are not in office (deacons or elders) and live godly lives without it being automatically made public.

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They work in the background, they are often anonymous. They work for the Lord in silence without blowing their trumpets as some people did to be known and glorified by people (Mat.6:1-18). One day, all that they have done will not remain ‘hidden’ (KRUPTO) meaning: to conceal, to hide, kept secret. They will get their reward from the Lord himself!

2 Corinthians 5

9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

(NKJV)

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First Timothy 6:1,2

19 – Timothy and slaves

All those who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, lest the name of God and the teaching be slandered. 2 And those who have believing masters must not look down on them because they are brothers, but rather they must serve, because those who benefit by their service are believers and dearly loved.

Teach and encourage these things.

(LEB)

Paul now turns his teaching to slaves. We must remember that this was written for people living in the Roman Empire where slavery was not only accepted but was legal. It is believed that at one point in the city of Rome there were more slaves than free people and Roman citizens! Much of the commerce and industry was based upon slavery. The gladiators were slaves who fought for their lives. Slaves were considered property and had no legal personhood, they were ‘things’ that belonged to their masters. Slaves usually performed domestic services or worked on farms or for industries. Greek slaves were highly regarded for they had better educations. Some were even accountants and physicians! Slaves belonged to their masters and they could suffer physical punishment and even torture. Some were used for sexual exploitation as prostitutes or concubines. Slaves could become ‘Freedmen’ either by paying for their freedom, doing some heroic feat or by the grace of their masters. If a slave became a ‘Freedmen’ he was able to vote but still could not run for the office of the senatorial class. The children of the ‘Freedmen’ had all the privileges of Roman citizenship without any restrictions. When slaves became ‘Freedmen’ they belonged to a special social class called ‘libertini’.

All those who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, lest the name of God and the teaching be slandered. 

This teaching had NO EXCEPTION it was for ‘all’ (HOSOS) meaning: as much as, so many as, all. The ‘Good News’ was offered to everyone the rich, the poor, the downcast and the slaves. It was natural that some slaves became true believers of Jesus Christ. As Disciples of Christ they needed to act in a godly manner and this section concerns this. As we will see in verse two, some believing slaves may have thought that since their masters were Christians, they were no longer to see them as slaves. After all, were they not all brothers and sisters in Christ? This thought probably caused dilemmas and Paul’s spiritual wisdom and insight were needed. This is not the case in verse one for Paul speaks concerning having non-believing masters.

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This is for ‘those who are under the yoke as slaves’. The word ‘yoke’ (ZUGOS) means: a yoke, a coupling, servitude. These people were ‘yoked’, in bondage, to their masters. Have you ever seen two bulls pulling a plow? If so, you have seen them ‘hooked together’ with a yoke around their necks and one could not escape from the other. Paul calls those that are ‘under a yoke’ as ‘slaves’ (DOULOS) meaning: a slave, a bound-man, a servant. Remember that these slaves were not considered people in the Roman Empire but rather things that you can purchase and do as you please with them. Their lives were often very difficult and brutal.

Paul speaks of their new-found attitude towards their masters. Before being born-again one can presume that slaves hated their masters both because of the way they saw them (non-persons) and the way they were treated. They must have detested them and wished evil upon them. But now they had received a new heart and mind. The Spirit of the Living God was in them and their entire inner being changed (Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 4:16; Eph. 4:23).

Colossians 3

10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,

11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

(NKJV)

Because these slaves had become children of God and had the Spirit of God living in them, their attitude and behavior should manifest this. That is why Paul wrote:

(v.1) …must regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, lest the name of God and the teaching be slandered. 

It was not a question that they should or ought to do this, it was a command! Slaves ‘must regard’, the words ‘must regard’ (HEGEOMAI) mean: to lead or to command. Paul, as an apostle of Christ and with all the authority this gave him, commanded that they looked at their ‘masters’ (DESPOTES) meaning: an absolute ruler, a lord, a master, differently. They needed to see their masters with new eyes, eyes that would see them as ‘worthy of all honor’ even though they had not changed! The word ‘worthy’ (AXIOS) means: deserving, due reward, worthy. Their masters were deserving ‘all honor’. This was a radical change of view! The word ‘all’ (PAS) means: all, any, every, the whole. While the word ‘honor’ (TIME) means: a value, an esteem, honor. This was not only for the Christian masters but even for the pagan masters, the ones who were hard on them, the ones who did not really care for them, the ones who treated them as if they were things!

They needed to act like Jesus, who suffered unjustly at the cross while paying for the penalty of sinning against the Lord God. They needed to have the same attitude and mind as their Savior did. Remember what Peter wrote:

1 Peter 2

21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";

23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;

NKJV

They needed not to retaliate but to forgive. They were not to take things into their own hands but to leave everything in the hands of God the Father! But why should slaves give all honors to their masters? Why should they not just rebel against them?

(v.1) …lest the name of God and the teaching be slandered. 

Because of God! They should give honor to whom it is due and not rebel because of ‘the name of God’! The word ‘name’ (ONOMA) means: a name, a character, an authority. They should act this way because of what the Lord God had done in their favor. Remember what Paul wrote to the Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 10

31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

NKJV

They needed to be loving and respectful slaves, not only for the sake of God’s name, (for it would be shameful for God to have such rebellious children) but also because of ‘the teaching be slandered’. The word ‘teaching’ (DIDASKALIA) means: instruction, doctrine, teaching. All that was taught about God could be ‘slandered’ (BLASPHEMO) meaning: to vilify, to speak impiously, to defame. Their attitude would destroy the name of God and the Christian teachings before others. Slaves needed to place the glory of God before their own desires!

 2 And those who have believing masters must not look down on them because they are brothers, but rather they must serve, because those who benefit by their service are believers and dearly loved.

Teach and encourage these things.

If verse one spoke about the relationship between a born-again slave and his unbelieving master, verse two speaks concerning those who have born-again masters.

The word ‘believing’ (PISTOS) means: trustworthy, faithful, true and the word ‘masters’ (DESPOTES) means: an absolute ruler, lord, master. This is the same Greek word used for both believing and non-believing masters. The believing slave ‘must not look down’ (KATAPHONEO) which means: to think against, to despise. It may be that a believing slave thinks that he/she should be set free because his master has now come to the faith. Seeing that this is not so, bitter sentiments can fill his heart.

The apostle Paul writes not to despise them if they do not set you free or for any other reason. In his letter to the Corinthians Paul wrote something very interesting concerning slavery and freedom:

1 Corinthians 7

20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called.

21 Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it.

22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ's slave.

23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.

24 Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.

NKJV

If the Christian slaves were not to ‘look down on them’ because they are also true believers, what were they to do?

(v.2) …but rather they must serve, because those who benefit by their service are believers and dearly loved.

The word ‘rather’ (MALLON) means: rather, better, more. There was something much better that they should be doing instead of harboring evil against them. The solution is rather simple ‘they must serve’. Again, we see the word ‘must’ and again this is not a suggestion but a command. You must ‘serve’ (DOULEUO) meaning: to be a slave, to be in bondage, to serve. When you place this with what Paul writes in 1 Cor. 7, we understand that each person has a different calling and if it is to be a slave, we should not be concerned about it because slave or free ALL have been freed from the judgment to come!

Paul brings in another thought which sounds like this: ‘Serve them because the one you give service to will benefit from this and he is your brother in the faith’.

(v.2) …because those who benefit by their service are believers and dearly loved.

The word ‘benefit’ (EUERGESIA) means: beneficence, a good deed done. By serving your master you are doing a ‘good deed’ unto him and he reaps the benefits of this. Christ suffered and believers benefit from his sacrifice – they are set free from the chains of sin and no longer are under judgment. Paul is simply asking the slaves to be Christ-like. Let’s not forget that your master is ‘dearly loved’ by the Lord God himself! Be good to them, work honestly because God loves him and that should suffice.

(v.2) …Teach and encourage these things.

Once more Paul encourages Timothy to ‘teach’ (DIDASKO) meaning: to teach in a broad application and also ‘encourage’ (PARAKALEO) meaning: exhort, intreat, beseech. May we never forget to love God’s children and honor them even if they are difficult people.

If you have a difficult supervisor, who is often ‘on your back’ and even seems to take pleasure in irritating and humiliating you please remember this section and apply it in your life.

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First Timothy 6:3-5

20 – The dangers of false teachers

3 If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not devote himself to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness, 4 he is conceited, understanding nothing, but having a morbid interest concerning controversies and disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, slanders, evil suspicions, 5 constant wrangling by people of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who consider godliness to be a means of gain.

(LEB)

The subject of false teachers and false prophets can be read from the gospels to Revelation. There are constant warnings concerning them for their fruits will bring people astray from the gospel saving truth. Jesus calls these people blind teachers of the blind:

Matthew 15

13 But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.

14 "Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."

NKJV

The warning of Paul was for ‘anyone’ (EI) meaning: if any, he that, whosoever. Paul considered ‘anyone’ to be a spiritual enemy if he preached another gospel. He went so far as telling the Galatians that if even if he himself taught a different gospel he should be cursed!

Galatians 1

8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

NKJV

There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this. Believers should be very careful and not let things ‘slide’, or turn a blind eye, simply because they like the preacher so much! The subject is about anyone who ‘teaches other doctrine’. These are called false teachers and prophets. The words ‘teaches other doctrine’ (HETERODIDASKALEO) mean: to instruct differently. This gives the idea that they stray away from orthodoxy. This is a sure sign of a cult. They have found a new way, or have discovered “hidden secrets” in the bible.

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They reveal the ‘true’ meaning of ancient prophecies or ‘unlock’ bible mysteries. They may even receive ‘new revelations’ that veer away from the written word or have prophets for our modern times! Paul describes these false teachers:

3 If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not devote himself to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness, 

They first do ‘not devote themselves to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ’. The word ‘devote’ (PROSERCHOMAI) means: to approach, to come near, assent to. It seems that they ‘devote’ themselves to other things and not to the ‘sound words’ of Christ! The word ‘sound’ (HUGIAINO) means: to have sound health, safe and sound. They are blind fools for this is what Jesus said about his ‘words’:

• My words will never pass away (Mat. 24:35)

• If you are ashamed of my words, I will be ashamed of you (Mark8:38)

• My words will be used on the final judgment (John 12:48)

• If you do not love my words you do not love me (John 14:24)

• My words are the words of the Father (also John 14:24)

When Jesus asked his disciples if they also wanted to leave him like the crowd did, this is what Peter answered:

John 6

67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?"

68 But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

69 "Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

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Peter understood that the words of Jesus were ‘words of eternal life’. And so, he remained truthful to his Savior until his last breath. On the other hand, these false teachers abandoned the ‘sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ’. May all true believers remain attached to every word that come out of the mouth of our Lord!

They no longer ‘devoted’ themselves to the words of Jesus and also with ‘the teaching that is accordance with godliness’. The word ‘teaching’ (DIDASKALIA) means: instruction, doctrine, teaching. These teachings that they left were in ‘accordance’ (KATA) meaning: about, according as. Once more we see they departed from the narrow path for they abandoned ‘godliness’.

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The word ‘godliness (EUSEBEIA) means: piety, holiness, godliness. They left what was holy and accepted the teaching of darkness. Jesus has warned us concerning them:

Matthew 7

15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

16 "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?

17 "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

18 "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

19 "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

20 "Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

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Because they have followed the dark path and departed from truth and godliness, this will automatically be manifested in their life. Paul gives a detailed picture of what a false teacher will act like.

4 he is conceited, understanding nothing, but having a morbid interest concerning controversies and disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, slanders, evil suspicions, 5 constant wrangling by people of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who consider godliness to be a means of gain.

First, ‘he is conceited’ (TUPHOO) meaning: to inflate with self-conceit, high minded. Instead of being humble they thought much of themselves. This was a trait of character which most of the scribes and Pharisees had. They loved to walk around with elaborate clothing, being regarded as important. Jesus gives a perfect description of these conceited Pharisees and why his disciples should not act like them (Mat. 23:1-12).

Second, ‘understanding nothing’. They call themselves teachers but they actually do not understand at all! The word ‘understanding’ (EPISTAMAI) means: to put the mind upon, comprehend. While the word ‘nothing’ (MEDEIS) means: not even one, no, not, none. They just don’t understand, they are not born-again and their minds are still in the dark as Paul writes:

2 Corinthians 3

14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ.

NKJV

Third, ‘but having a morbid interest concerning controversies and disputes about words’. Their interest is not in the Lord nor his kingdom. They do not devote themselves to the words of the Lord. But they do have a special interest and Paul calls it ‘morbid’. The word ‘morbid’ (NOSEO) means: to be sick, of a diseased appetite. In other words, they had a very sick ‘interest’ (ZETESIS) meaning: the act of searching, a dispute, a question, in ‘controversies and disputes’. They not only enjoyed but actually looked to find ‘controversies and disputes’ (LOGOMACHIA) meaning: disputations about trifles, strife of words. They just loved to argue concerning different subjects. They were argumentative, quarrelsome and confrontational. They were right and everybody else was wrong! Do you know people like this? I hope you are not one of them. Because of their attitude Paul writes that certain things proceed from this and they are not godly traits!

Forth, ‘envy’ (PHTHONEO) meaning: to be jealous, to envy. They were jealous of others. They thought they were more intelligent and more spiritual. They claimed that they knew ‘another truth’ YET they were jealous. We can see that the ‘superior’ knowledge they had was not sufficient to bring them contentment. We all know that only the Lord God can fill our hearts and bring perfect peace.

Fifth, ‘strife’ (ERIS) meaning: a quarrel, contention, strife. This is another fruit that one could see in the life of these false teachers. It seems that they were ‘at war’ with almost everyone. They did not bring peace, joy, harmony and acceptance through their teachings and persons – it was the opposite! They brought dissention, opposition and disagreement wherever they set foot. Again, this is not a sign that they are disciples of Christ! Jesus said that the sure sign of being his disciples was the love they would have for one another (John 13:34,35).

Sixth, ‘slanders’ (BLASPHEMIA) meaning: evil speaking, railing. Whether against God or against men, they secretly and sometimes openly spoke evil of them. These false prophets were not ashamed to discredit the brethren, dishonor their names and spread scandals concerning them. They spoke against God by teaching ‘another gospel’. Remember what you have just read in Mat. 7:15-20!

Seventh, ‘evil suspicions’, this was the seventh fruit that these false teachers manifested. The word ‘evil’ (PONEROS) means: hurtful, evil, degeneracy from original virtue. They were certainly not of the Lord who is the Lord of truth and light! They were ‘evil’ in their ‘suspicious’ (HUPONOIA) meaning: suspicion, surmising. They had evil thoughts and deductions against people. Not knowing the truth, they guessed and they came to false conclusions. They seemed to be very judgmental!

Their eighth fruit was ‘constant wrangling’ (PARADIATRIBE) meaning: misemployment, meddlesomeness, perverse disputing. Again, we see the depth of their heart. They raged verbal war against all who did not adhere to their beliefs. They hurt others with their words, breaking them down and dishonoring them.

Paul writes that they were like this because of their ‘depraved mind’. The word ‘depraved’ (DIAPHTHEIRO) means: to rot thoroughly, corrupt, destroy. The word ‘minds’ (NOUS) means: the intellect, the mind. Their minds were rotten through and through, filled with decay and debris which the doctrines of darkness had brought! Since their minds were ‘depraved’, the only fruits they could bear were all spiritually corrupt. They were also ‘deprived of the truth’. They believed that they had the TRUTH and generously taught it! Yet they were ‘deprived’ (APOSTEREO) meaning: to deprive, defraud, destitute, of the ‘truth’ – God’s truth. This is the only truth that will survive for all eternity. They had empty hands and thought they were filled with spiritual truth!

Finally, Paul describes these false teachers as people ‘who consider godliness to be a means of gain.’ Things have not changed! False teachers, pastors, prophets, elders, bishops – how many use their status to rob people and to fatten themselves!

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They ‘consider’ (NOMIZO) meaning: to do by law, to deem, to regard. They regarded or looked upon ‘godliness’ (EUSEBEIA) meaning: piety, godliness, holiness as something they could use for their own benefit. They acted spiritual, spoke with elegance, gave the image that they had authority from the Lord. But all of this, all of this charade, pretence and travesty had one main goal, it was ‘a means of gain’ (PORISMOS) meaning: money getting, acquisition, gain.

They wanted to get rich and become wealthy by using the gospel as a means of doing so. Does this sound like some present false teachers you hear about?

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First Timothy 6 :6-10

21 – True contentment in this world

6 But godliness with contentment is a great means of gain. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so that neither can we bring anything out. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these things we will be content. 9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and a trap and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge those people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all evil, by which some, because they desire it, have gone astray from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains.

(LEB)

If you would ask true believers what would be a great sin before the eyes of the Lord they would probably name one of the following: stealing, killing, lack of love or compassion, anger, gluttony, striking someone and so forth. I have NEVER heard someone say that lack of contentment is also a great sin – yet it is! Some of my readers probably live in countries where the economy permits you to buy things that you like and enjoy, on credit. This may be a serious snare. A good portion of the people living in my country are over their heads in debt because of lack of contentment and never being satisfied with what they have. They crave for things that will not satisfy their souls and only deepens their debt. Now, the lack of contentment is the fruit of the lust in us.

1 John 2

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.

17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

NKJV

If this was true in the days of Paul, how much greater is the possibility of falling into this sin today, with credit so available! Let us all be very attentive to this section.

6 But godliness with contentment is a great means of gain. 

This is the general statement of this section and the key words are ‘godliness, contentment and gain’. Paul first speaks on the subject of ‘godliness’ (EUSEBEIA) meaning: piety, godliness, holiness. This word characterises the inward attitude of the born-again child of God, an attitude which pleases the Father.

In other words, godliness mirrors the character of God. Paul tells Timothy that contentment is part of being Christ-like. The word ‘contentment’ (AUTARKEIA) means: self-satisfaction, sufficiency. This word is only used twice in the New Testament. The other reference is found in 2 Cor. 9:8:

2 Corinthians 9

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

NKJV

It is the word ‘sufficiency’ that is translated from AUTARKEIA. Being content with what we have is KEY not only to having a good relationship with our heavenly Father, but also to being generally happy in life. The lack of contentment in life manifests that we are not happy with the way that God treats us. This is exactly what the serpent got Eve to believe. Take the fruit, of course it is good, you won’t die – and she ate it along with Adam. They fell into the devil’s trap - you need to have this to really be happy. But were they happier? No!

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• They felt ashamed and hid themselves for they were naked.

• They were afraid of God.

• Communion was broken between them.

• They were cast away from the Garden of Eden.

• They personally received a judgment from the Lord.

• They now had a sinful nature.

All of this was because they were not content with what the Lord had given them. If Adam and Eve, who lived in a perfect setting can lack in contentment, image all of us who have a sinful nature! So, children of God need to practice ‘contentment’. Paul writes that ‘godliness’ and ‘contentment’ is a ‘great means of gain’. The word ‘great’ (MEGAS) means: big, exceedingly great. The word ‘gain’ (PORISMOS) means: money getting, acquisition, gain. In other words, believers who manifest the character of God and are satisfied with what they have or what they are living, will receive a ‘great gain’ from it. Being humble and thankful before the Lord makes ALL the difference. This is something that all believers should practice in all circumstances. May I ask if this is the case for you? Do you often desire things that you do not have? Are you not satisfied with your health, your work, the way you look and so forth – then you lack contentment and it is a sin and it robs you from being happy.

7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so that neither can we bring anything out. 

Paul gives a logical reason why we should be content and not strive to possess and fall into the never-ending cycle of discontentment. He tells Timothy that when we enter ‘into the world’ we brought nothing with us. When we are born, we personally have ‘nothing’ (OUDEN) meaning: not even one, none, nothing. It is our parents who take care of our needs by providing for us. As time goes by this child grows older and begins to accumulate possessions until one day he dies. What happens then? Paul writes: ‘neither can we bring anything out’. Just as we did not come in this world with anything, it is impossible for us to leave this world and ‘bring anything out’. The word ‘bring’ (EKPHERO) means: to bear out, to bring forth. We arrive with nothing and we leave this world with nothing also! That is the foolishness of discontentment! Solomon expressed it this way:

Ecclesiastes 5

14 But those riches perish through misfortune; When he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand.

15 As he came from his mother's womb, naked shall he return, To go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor Which he may carry away in his hand.

16 And this also is a severe evil-Just exactly as he came, so shall he go. And what profit has he who has labored for the wind?

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Jesus also tells us that it is the Gentiles who seek after the things of this world and that his disciples should be care-free knowing that the Father will take care of their needs (Mat. 6:30-34).

8 But if we have food and clothing, with these things we will be content.

This is contentment for Paul, not that he promoted ascetism but he promoted self-control which is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22,23). All we truly need in life are ‘food’ (DIATROPHE) meaning: nourishment, food. This is to keep the body functioning well, to be in good health to be able to work for the Lord. And also ‘clothing’ (SKEPASMA) meaning: a covering, clothing, raiment. This is to cover our nudity (this is the first thing God did for Adam and Eve after they had sinned in the garden) and also to protect our body which is the instrument of life. This should suffice. Does this mean that believers can not have material possessions – absolutely not! Some of the great saints of the Bible were extremely rich.

But what is noticeable is that they did not make a goal of being rich – it was a gift from God or an inheritance (as with Solomon) they had received. Paul writes that with this simple life-style ‘we will be content’ (ARKEO) meaning: to avail, be enough, be sufficient, content. Why work for things that are today and can vanish tomorrow? Jesus said:

Matthew 6

33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

NKJV

So, let God decide what you should have. Let him provide for all your needs. Instead of being discontent why not first seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness. When we do so, the good Lord will take care of the rest.

9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and a trap and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge those people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all evil, by which some, because they desire it, have gone astray from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains.

As with all sins there are consequences to our lack of contentment. We see two of them in verse nine. Notice these consequences are for those ‘who want to be rich’. The word ‘want’ (BOULOMAI) means: be willing, be disposed, intend. This is expressly for those who desire, who make a goal in life of being rich. Again, we notice that this comes from the heart. It is a craving that has deep roots and controls the mind and will of a person. This has nothing to do with a person who is blessed by God and becomes wealthy.

This person will ‘fall into temptation’. The word ‘fall’ (EMPIPTO) means: to fall, to be entrapped by. While the word ‘temptation’ (PEIRASMOS) means: a putting to proof, experience evil. The lack of contentment is a trap and when you fall into it you will experience all sorts of evil. The Lord God warns his children and we should have ears to listen. Materialism is a snare, while contentment frees us.

The second consequence to our lack of contentment is that it will bring ‘many foolish and harmful desires’. The word ‘foolish’ (ANOETOS) means: unintelligent, foolish, unwise. We are told that one of the fruits of discontentment is becoming ‘foolish’. We should grow in wisdom, understanding and spiritual insight but discontentment blocks all of this. Our ‘desires’ (EPITHUMIA) meaning: a longing especially for what is forbidden, become unintelligent and we search for the wrong things in life.

These ‘foolish… desires’ become ‘harmful’ (BLABEROS) meaning: injurious, hurtful. In other words, our lack of contentment gives birth to desires which are not grounded in the Lord. These desires are foolish and harmful! They are not good for the child of God they only enslave him to live for the flesh.

(v.9) …which plunge those people into ruin and destruction. 

The lack of contentment gives birth to the trap of temptation and also foolish and harmful desires. If that was not enough it will also ‘plunge’ (BUTHIZO meaning: to sink, to drown, you into two things. It will bring you ‘ruin’ (APOLEIA) meaning: ruin, loss, waste. This is the harvest that you will reap – waste! You may have possessions but your spiritual life will be wasted! Your relationship with the Lord will be like a desert! Discontentment will also ‘plunge’ you into ‘destruction’ (OLETHROS) meaning: to destroy, ruin, death. Have you ever seen a garden or a field that has suffered a drought? All that was alive and bearing fruit now stands dry and lifeless! This is the picture of a child of God who desires riches before his own God! You become a wasteland, for you sold your soul to Mammon. Remember what the Lord Jesus said:

Matthew 6

24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

NKJV

Paul ends this section concerning contentment with a few words of wisdom. It is also a dreadful warning to all believers who lack true love for their Savior.

10 For the love of money is a root of all evil, by which some, because they desire it, have gone astray from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains.

Why have I written that the lack of contentment equates with the lack of love for our Lord and Savior? Simply because Jesus said so!

Matthew 6

19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;

20 "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

NKJV

Paul speaks of the ‘love of money’ and this is the key to understanding our section on contentment. The words ‘love of money’ (PHILARGURIA) mean: avarice, the love of money. It is our love for money (and all it can procure) that ‘is a root of all evil’. This refers to not having money but to loving money. Loving money ‘is a root’ (RHIZA) meaning: a root. The root is the organ through which the nourishment is provided for the plant. If the root dies the plant will also die. This root (the love of money) is the ‘root of all evil’. Not just some evil but ‘all’ (PAS) meaning: all, any, every, the whole. ALL of ‘evil’ (KAKOS) meaning: worthless, depraved, bad, evil, is grounded on the love of money! Can you imagine a world without having a single citizen who desires to love money? Can you imagine how that would change the face of the earth? Try to picture this and if you are capable then you will understand why the lack of contentment is so evil!

(v.10) …by which some, because they desire it, have gone astray from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains.

Once more Paul makes a distinction between those who have great possessions and those who are possessed by great wealth. Paul speaks of ‘some’, not all but ‘some’, those are the ones who desire to be rich. The ones that ‘desire it’ (OREGOMAI) meaning: to reach out after, covet, desire, harm themselves and often without even knowing it!

The first thing is that they ‘have gone astray from the faith’. The words ‘gone astray’ (APOPLANAO) mean: to lead astray, err, seduce. They abandon the true ‘faith’ (PISTIS) meaning: persuasion, credence, moral conviction. They slowly turn their back on the Lord. They lose their first love like some of the believers did in Ephesus:

Revelation 2

4 "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

5 "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent.

NKJV

Since Mammon has become the desire of their hearts it is natural that their love for the Lord diminishes.

The second thing is that the love of money has ‘pierced themselves with many pains’. The word ‘pierced’ (PERIPEIRO) means: to penetrate entirely. This is nota slight cut but a deep wound that the believer afflicts himself with. The imagery is so astonishing!

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You wound yourself deeply when you love money because of lack of contentment. You actually afflict yourself with ‘many pains’! You execute upon yourself ‘many pains’! The word ‘many’ (POLUS) means: much, many, abundant. And the word ‘pains’ (ODUNE) means: grief, sorrow. You eat the fruit of your love for money which is a great amount of pain and sorrow. How foolish are some children of God who set aside the Lord in order to make more money!

Jeremiah 2

12 Be astonished, O heavens, at this, And be horribly afraid; Be very desolate," says the LORD.

13 "For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns-broken cisterns that can hold no water.

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First Timothy 6:11-16

22 – Pursue these things

11 But you, O man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patient endurance, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I command you, in the sight of God who gives life to all things and Christ Jesus who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you observe the commandment without fault, irreproachable until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will make known in his own time, the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of those who reign as kings and Lord of those who rule as lords, 16 the one who alone possesses immortality, who lives in unapproachable light, whom no human being has seen nor is able to see, to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen.

(LEB)

In this section we can see that Paul speaks directly to Timothy: ‘but you’ refers to his child in the faith. He refers to Timothy as ‘O man of God’. The term ‘man of God’ was used in the Old Testament on seventy-one occasions and is mostly found in 1 & 2 Kings. It refers to prophets, priests or someone special who was sent by God to carry his words and do his bidding. It is quite an honor for Timothy to be called ‘man of God’. It is only used twice in the New testament and both times by Paul who was referring to Timothy (1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Tim. 3:17). May it be our desire to be known as a woman or a man of God and to be regarded as someone who God uses as an instrument of justice (Rom. 6:13) in this corrupt world. In order to be a true ‘man of God’ Paul gives a short list of things which needed to be in him as a believer.

11 But you, O man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patient endurance, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 

Paul writes: ‘flee from these things’. Here Paul speaks of the foolishness of being discontent and to be searching for the things of this world (section #21). The word ‘flee’ (PHEUGO) means: to run away, to vanish, to escape, to flee. There are things that Timothy had to run away from and abandon. It is only when one lets go of what is in his hand, that he is then able to fill it with something else! Paul opposes these two words: flee and pursue. This is what Paul did in his own life (he fled from and pursued towards) and now he is passing this onto Timothy.

Philippians 3

7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.

8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

(NKJV)

Leaving these deeds of darkness behind, Timothy had to ‘pursue’ (DIOKO) meaning: to pursue, to follow, to press forward, other things. There were things that Timothy (and all true believers) needed to run after to become a man of God.

The first pursuit is ‘righteousness’ (DIKAIOSUNE) meaning: equity of character or act. This speaks of having a moral rectitude which is based on God’s Law. All of his thoughts and actions needed to be weighed in God’s balance. To be righteous is to have the character of God and above all things this is what Timothy needed to conserve. May righteousness of character also be our priority in life.

The second pursuit is ‘godliness’ (EUSEBEIA) meaning: piety, godliness, holiness. This gives the idea of being devout to the Lord. It also manifests an inner desire to please his Savior. In the parable of the pearl (Mat. 13:45, 46) the man who found a great pearl sells all he has to be able to purchase it. A person filled with ‘godliness’ will abandon all he has to follow and emulate his Lord.

The third pursuit is ‘faith’ (PISTIS) meaning: a persuasion, credence, moral conviction. The elements of faith are:

• a firm conviction that God’s Word is the truth (John 6:68)

• a personal surrender to God (John 20:28)

• a conduct reflecting this surrender (Eph. 5:8)

The fourth pursuit is ‘love’ (AGAPE) meaning: love, affection, benevolence.

• Love is the attitude of God towards his son (John 17:26)

• Love is the attitude of God towards the human race (John 3:16)

• Love is the attitude of God towards he who believes (John 14:21)

• Love is the attitude of God’s children towards each other (John 13:14)

• Love is the essential nature of God (1 John 4:8)

Never forget that love can be known only through actions (Rom. 5:8) and love is the uttermost expression among men (2 Cor. 5:14).

The fifth pursuit is ‘patient endurance’ (HUPOMONE) meaning: hopeful endurance, constancy. This type of patience seems to grow only in trials! We all know that patience perfects the Christian character (James 1:4) and we all need perfecting!

The sixth pursuit is ‘gentleness’ (PRAIOTES) meaning: gentleness, humility, meekness. This describes the inward grace of the soul and describes someone who is good in his dealings with others without disputing or resisting them. This word is closely linked with humility.

12 Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 

Believers are engaged in a spiritual warfare and Paul reminds Timothy to be ready to fight:

Ephesians 6

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

NKJV

Timothy was to ‘fight the good fight’. There are many battles people can engage in but for Disciples of Christ ‘the good fight’ is our battle! The word ‘good’ (KALOS) means: properly, beautiful, valuable, virtuous. This describes our ‘fight’ (AGONIZOMAI) meaning: to struggle, labor, strive, fervently. What is this ‘good fight’? There is only one: ‘of the faith’ (PISTIS) meaning: persuasion, credence, moral conviction.

The Gospel is our fight and the earth is our battleground! Winning souls to Christ, saving men from the pit of hell, teaching the ways of the Lord God – this is what each of us should fight for. This was Timothy’s fight and if you are a child of God this is also your ‘good fight’.

(v.12) …take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 

Timothy needed to be pro-active in his ‘good fight’ so Paul tells him to ‘take hold’ (EPILAMBANOMAI) meaning: to seize, catch, take hold of. He needed to seize every opportunity that the Lord presented him. In his second letter he will write:

2 Timothy 4

1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:

2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

NKJV

Timothy needed to remember the calling he had received ‘of the eternal life to which you were called’. The word ‘called’ (KALEO) means: to call, call forth, calling a name. His name was called out before he was born and even before time existed! Not only was Timothy ‘called’ to eternal life but so were ALL who would accept the Son as their personal Savior.

Ephesians 1

4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.

NKJV

There is an important point which needs to be addressed. Paul writes ‘and confessed a good confession in the presence of many witnesses’. The word ‘confessed’ (HOMOLOGEO) means: to assent, to acknowledge, to confess. This speaks of the profession of faith which Timothy gave – his testimony of repentance. It was a ‘good confession’.

It was real, true and honest. His repentance story was to the point and not wishy-washy leaving the ‘witnesses’ (MARTUS) meaning: a witness, a martyr wondering if he truly understood what salvation is all about. Too often we hear testimonies that have nothing to do with sin – repentance-salvation. But not so with Timothy’s testimony. May I ask what is your personal testimony? Is there a decisive moment in your life where you saw yourself as a dreadful sinner with the judgment of God upon your head? Have you cried out to Christ to come and save you? Have you repented of your sins and now possess a deep desire to abandon your old ways? If not, then there is no better time to do this than right now!

13 I command you, in the sight of God who gives life to all things and Christ Jesus who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you observe the commandment without fault, irreproachable until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

The word ‘command’ (PARAGGELLO) means: to enjoin, to give a charge, to declare. Once again this is not advice that is given but an actual order. People in general do not like to be ordered around but as a child of God we know that what God tells us to do is always for our good.

This is the fourth time that Paul uses this word (PARAGGELLO) in this letter (1:3; 4:11; 5:7; 6:13) and he will use it once more in 6:17. This word also gives the idea of: to announce, to command. This is an important command for it is given ‘in the sight of God’. This is the second time Paul calls upon God to be his witness (5:21). He describes God as the one ‘who gives life to all things’. The word ‘life’ (ZOOPOIEO) means: to make alive, to give life, to quicken. This was the God of Paul, the creator and sustainer of all life. This is also the God of all true believers.

Paul also uses Jesus as his witness, just as he did before (5:21). He describes Jesus as the one ‘who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate’. I wonder if Paul is making a link between the ‘good confession’ Timothy did (6:12) and the ‘good confession’, which are the exact same words in the Greek, that Jesus gave? Whatever the case, I hope that if we ever have to give a ‘good confession’ we will be strong enough to take a stand and declare the truth!

This is the command that Paul orders Timothy to do.

14 that you observe the commandment without fault, irreproachable until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

He commands Timothy to observe the command without fault! I do believe that Paul is trying to make his point VERY CLEAR. Timothy needed to ‘observe’ (TEREO) meaning: to keep the eye upon, to fulfill a command. He needed to ‘observe’ what Paul had commandment ‘without fault’ (ASPILOS) meaning: unblemished, without spot. Timothy, do what you know you have to do and do it right – all the time. By doing so, by being a godly leader he will be ‘irreproachable until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ’.

By doing so you will be ‘irreproachable’ (ANEPILEPTOS) meaning: blameless, not culpable before the law. No reproach will be given on your account if you follow the commands that I have given you. Paul may be encouraging Timothy by speaking of the return of Jesus. He may also desire that he keeps his eyes on the hope of the return of the Lord. May this also be the quiet flame that burns in our hearts!

15 which he will make known in his own time, the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of those who reign as kings and Lord of those who rule as lords, 16 the one who alone possesses immortality, who lives in unapproachable light, whom no human being has seen nor is able to see, to whom be honor and eternal power.

Amen.

The ‘time’ of his return is unknown, let no one fool you as many have been fooled in the past.

Matthew 24

36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.

37 "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

38 "For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,

39 "and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

40 "Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.

41 "Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.

42 "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.

43 "But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.

44 "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

NKJV

The following passage is identified as a doxology to the Father. We know Paul speaks about the Father since he wrote ‘he will make known in his own time’ and this refers (as we have seen) to the return of the Messiah. Only the Father knows this so it is logical to understand that what is written is about the Father! Seven things are mentioned about God – the Father.

First, ‘the blessed and only sovereign’. The word ‘blessed’ (MAKARIOS) means: supremely blessed, well-off, happy. Only God is to be blessed by our lips, no one else should be because he is the ‘only sovereign’. The word ‘only’ (MONOS) means: sole, single, alone, only. There is NO OTHER ‘sovereign’ (DUNASTES) meaning: a ruler or officer of great authority.

Second, ‘the King of those who reign as kings’. The word ‘king’ (BESILEUS) means: a foundation of power. Here we see that God is the foundation on which all kings rest. Most of them do not even realize this!

Romans 13

1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

NKJV

Third, ‘Lord of those who rule as lords’. The word ‘Lord’ (KURIOS) means: supreme in authority. If God the Father is the foundation (BESILEUS) of everything, he is also the supreme authority in all things – even of the lords of this world!

Fourth, ‘the one who alone possess immortality’. Once again, we have the confirmation that there is no other God for, we have the word ‘alone’ (MONOS) meaning: sole or single, alone, only. Only one ‘possess’ (ECHO) meaning: to hold, to be able ‘immortality’ (ATHANASIA) meaning: deathlessness, immortality. God has no beginning and has no end (Rev. 1:4,8; 4:8; 11:17; 16:5). God gives eternal life (John 3:16) but no one has no beginning and no end – only God does.

Fifth, ‘who lives in unapproachable light’. Here the word ‘lives’ (OIKEO) means: to remain, to inhabit, to dwell. This is the abode of the Lord God – pure light for he IS LIGHT (Ps. 104:2). God is ‘unapproachable’ (APROSITOS) meaning: inaccessible, which no man can approach. No man can come to him because of their iniquities. That is why we desperately need Jesus as our mediator (Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24).

Sixth, ‘whom no human being has seen nor is able to see’. Our eyes are too impure to gaze upon the holiness of the Lord God. Moses desired to see God but even he could not!

Exodus 33

18 And he said, "Please, show me Your glory."

19 Then He said, "I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."

20 But He said, "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live."

NKJV

Seventh, ‘to whom be honor and eternal power'. Only God is worthy of our ‘honor’ (TIME) meaning: esteem, precious. Only He, in our eyes, can be considered and esteemed and worthy of worship. Only He is to receive ‘eternal power’ (AIONIOS KRATOS) meaning: eternal or everlasting dominion. May we offer God what is his – worship and dominion over our soul.

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First Timothy 6 :17-19

23 – Instructions to the rich

17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be proud and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of riches, but in God, who provides us all things richly for enjoyment, 18 to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, sharing freely, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the future, in order that they may take hold of what is truly life.

(LEB)

As we have seen in our last section there are five times when the apostle Paul used the word PARAGGELLO which means ‘command’ in English and this is the last time in this epistle. There were things that Paul wanted Timothy to teach concerning being wealthy. It was an order, not a suggestion, that ‘those who are rich’ (PLOUSIOS) meaning: wealthy, abounding with, needed to hear and apply to their life. Like today there were those who were rich and being children of God, they needed to know what the Father wanted of them. Since they were rich ‘in this present age’ they also needed to act ‘in this present age’. The words ‘present age’ (NUN) means: now, present, immediate. These are the teaching concerning the wealthy.

First, they were ‘not to be proud’ (HUPSELOPHRONEO) meaning: high minded, arrogant. This speaks of the inner attitude that they should not have. The Lord detests those who are proud. Do you remember what James and Peter wrote?

James 4

6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

NKJV

1 Peter 5

5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

NKJV

Some say that pride is the mother of all sins! When one thinks too much of himself it is the beginning of his downfall. When one is rich, he believes that he has power and authority and that he is in control – how foolish is this thought! Remember what Jesus taught about having great wealth:

Luke 12

16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully.

17 "And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?'

18 "So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods.

19 'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry."'

20 "But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?'

21 "So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

NKJV

The second, is ‘not to put their hope in the uncertainty of riches,’. The words ‘put their hope’ (ELPIZO) means: to expect, to confide, hope, trust. People who are rich have a tendency to trust in their wealth. If something happens, they have the means to take care of it. This causes the heart to become more and more independent. I don’t need God – I can take care of myself and the heart slowly drifts away from its Maker! Paul reminds the rich of the ‘uncertainty’ of their wealth. The word ‘uncertainty’ (ADELOTES) meaning: hidden, uncertain. One never knows if even in ONE DAY they can lose all of their great wealth (ask Job!).

(v.17) …but in God

Since your riches are uncertain, should you not place your hope in the Living God? Is he not the one who gives life and sustains every breath that you take? Again, how foolish is the man who trusts in himself instead of the Lord!

(v.17) …who provides us all things richly for enjoyment, 

Here we see Paul giving the reasons why the rich (and the poor) should trust in God and not in what they possess. First of all, God ‘provides us all things’. The word ‘provides’ (PARECHO) means: to hold near, furnish, to give. If God provides food for the ravens (Job 38:41) will he not provide for you also! If God has provided a substitute for Abraham’s son as a sacrifice (Gen. 22:13) will he not also provide assistance in your deepest needs? God, will provide ‘richly’ (PLOUSIOS) meaning: copiously, abundantly. God does not provide sparsely but lavishly and profusely. The Lord’s provisions are luxuriant and he generously gives all things ‘for enjoyment’ (APOLAUSIS) meaning: to enjoy, full enjoyment. This Greek word is only used here and in Heb.11:25.

It gives the idea of experiencing joy and the benefits of joy. So, trust in God who provides richly so his children can enjoy the gifts of God.

18 to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, sharing freely, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the future, in order that they may take hold of what is truly life.

Third, Paul tells the rich ‘to do good’. The word ‘good’ (AGATHOERGEO) means: to work good, do good. This is a general statement. In all things have this attitude ‘to do good’. God has given you riches so you can ‘do good’ with them. They are not to be kept but rather to be shared with the ones God points out. A rich Christian is an agent in God’s hand who should distribute goodness where it is needed.

Fourth, and they are all linked one with the other, the rich are called ‘to be rich in good works’. Paul is contrasting the riches of the world and the riches of God. One tends to keep the riches of the world for himself while the good servant of God does the opposite. The rich should desire to be rich in ‘good works’. The word ‘good’ (KALOS) means: beautiful, good, virtuous and the word ‘works’ (ERGON) means: to work, toil, an act, a deed. If you want to be rich, be rich by doing spiritual acts of goodness unto others. That is what Jesus meant when he said to ‘love your neighbor as yourself’ (Mat. 22:39).

Fifth, he calls the rich ‘to be generous’ (EUMETADOTOS) meaning: good at imparting, liberal with monies. As you can see, all the things the rich are called to do are linked one with the other. Paul explains what it means to do ‘good works’ and it implies that you need to be ‘generous’, to be ‘sharing freely’ (KOINONIKOS) meaning: willing to communicate, to be liberal with. Jesus said: ‘You have received freely, give freely’ (Mat. 10:8). Remember that one does not need to be rich to be generous with others!

When the rich (or any generous Christian) share freely of their riches with others, apart from glorifying the Lord, what are they doing?

19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the future, in order that they may take hold of what is truly life.

They are ‘storing up’ (APOTHESAURIZO) meaning: to treasure away, to lay up for themselves. They are building ‘a good foundation for the future’. The word ‘foundation’ (THEMELIOO) means: to lay a basis for. In the future their ‘good works’ will be a foundation for something they will receive. Paul speaks of this:

1 Corinthians 3

10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.

11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,

13 each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.

14 If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.

15 If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

NKJV

Be rich in good works and by doing so you are laying down a ‘good foundation for the future’ – for your future. This has nothing to do with salvation for only Christ can provide this. It deals with the rewards one receives because of the loving good works he has done in the name of Christ. God truly is generous!

The life that waits for true Christians is called ‘truly life’. Believers are called to ‘take hold’ (EPILAMBANOMAI) meaning: to seize, catch, lay hold. NOW is the time to do good works, one needs to grasp this thought and apply it to himself. The word ‘truly’ (AIONIOS) actually means: perpetual, eternal, for ever and the word ‘life’ (ZOE) means: life literally or figuratively. There is also a sense of living a true spiritual life that can begin now and is extended into eternity (with all its new implications).

Rich or poor, may all children of God desire to do good works for the glory of the Lord and the encouragement of others.

​

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First Timothy 6 :20,21

24 – Conclusion

20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Turn away from pointless empty talk and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some, by professing it, have deviated concerning the faith. Grace be with you all.

(LEB)

Paul comes to the conclusion of his letter. He fears for Timothy and his ministry. He knows the tricks and traps of the enemy. He leaves his beloved child in the faith with a few last remarks.

20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you.

The first deals with having to ‘guard’ (PHULASSO) meaning: to watch, to be on guard. The enemy is subtle and crafty and Timothy needed to be watchful of himself and his ministry. Peter also gives a clear warning to the believers that he wrote to:

1 Peter 5

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

NKJV

What Timothy especially needed to guard was ‘what has been entrusted in you’. The word ‘entrusted’ (PARAKATATHEKE) means: a deposit, a sacred trust, that which is committed. We know that Paul had already spoken to him concerning the spiritual gift that was in Timothy:

1 Timothy 4

14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.

NKJV

Now he needed to protect and guard that gift. It was a precious spiritual gift given by the Lord God which he needed to cherish and use for the benefit of others. This reminds me of the parable of the three servants who receive a sum of money just before their master left.

They were to put it to work (Mat. 25:14-29), two did but the third did not. Paul did not want Timothy to be like the third servant who became useless to his master. May I ask if you are using your natural and spiritual talents that the Lord has given you? Like Timothy, you may need to be reminded not to forget them and to put them to good use.

(v.20) …Turn away from pointless empty talk and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some, by professing it, have deviated concerning the faith. Grace be with you all.

Timothy also needed to ‘turn away from pointless empty talk and contradictions.’ This second warning could be used in almost every church! This is a poison that plagues churches on every continent! The word ‘pointless’ (BEBELOS) means: heathenish, wicked, profane. The words ‘empty’ (KENOPHONIA) means: empty sounding, fruitless, vain. Finally, the word ‘contradictions’ (ANTITHESIS) means: a conflict, opposition. These three Greek words describes what Paul calls ‘talk’, the contents of what people say to each other.

Timothy had to ‘turn away’ (EKTREPO) meaning: to deflect, to turn away, to avoid from such talk. There is no use participating in such conversations for they are wicked, empty and only bring conflicts. Christians can often be so adamant about trivialities that it causes divisions amongst them. All of this talk is often looked upon as ‘knowledge’ (GNOSIS) meaning: the act of knowing, science. But in reality, it is ‘falsely called’ (PSEUDONUMOS) meaning: untruly named, so called falsely. They believe they are smart with interesting insights but in truth its not so at all.

Paul warns Timothy that the ‘professing’ (EPAGGELLO) meaning: to announce upon, to profess. This vain and empty talk became so important and so believable to some that they have ‘deviated concerning the faith’. In other words, they believe their own lies! The word ‘deviated’ (ASTOCHEO) means: to miss the mark, deviate from the truth. Vain talk often leads people astray and that it why Timothy had to turn away from it! Do you listen to pointless and empty talk? Watch out for it may lead you astray from the Lord.

Grace be with you all.

Paul ends with a blessing, not only to Timothy but to all the brethren! Grace is what saves us, keeps us and brings us into eternity to be with the Lord. May God’s grace also be upon you.

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