1 Tim 6:11-21, We need to protect our faith by being doers of the Word of God

• The theme
• Titus and Timothy are Pastoral letters
• These letters expound on church order not church doctrine
1. The greeting 1:1-2
• Not personal but rather formal -- emphasizes Paul's authority
2. Timothy's Mission 1:3-20
1. The task Timothy faced 1:3-11
2. Exhortations 1:12-20
3. Instructions concerning the life of the local church -- "order" (2:1-4:5)
1. The priority of prayer 2:1-7 -- It is good to pray -- we need prayer
2. The primary responsibilities (roles) of the men and women in church meetings (2:8-15)
1. The men have failed to take a spiritual leadership role
2. There is no argument on the capability of women, only where she should teach and lead
3. The qualifications for Church leaders -- Elders and Deacons 3:1-13
4. The nature of the local Church 3:14-16
5. The problem of apostasy in the Church 4:1-5
4. Instructions concerning leadership of the local Church 4:6-5:25
5. Instructions for groups within the church 6:1-19
6. Concluding charge and benediction 6:20-21


• Previously:
• Timothy's task was to silence false teachers
• The men had failed to lead the church and their families spiritually
• The church required men to be spiritually qualified for duties as elders and deacons
• Teachers must teach sound doctrine that was not vain -- that is it lead to godliness (change in the lives of the hearers)
• The discipline of godliness has great value in this life and the next (quiet times, reading, praying, witnessing, spiritual fellowship, and application)
• Last week:
• We discussed our witness at work (honoring our boss)
• We discussed teaching which creates controversies not godliness (and the discipline of godliness is attained through the application of the word of God)
• We discussed the importance of being content and the snare of riches


1 Timothy 6:11–12 (ESV) —
11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.


• The letter turns personal at this point. What is Timothy to flee?
• Arrogance - part of the reason we honor our bosses
• Teaching that puffs up with conceit but provides no change
• Teaching to attain wealth
• The snare of riches
• Lack of contentment in where God has places you and how God can use you
• Feeding the flesh instead of feeding the soul (vs 10 cravings)
• Whenever you put off something, it is important to replace it with something else, otherwise you will not make any progress or see any change. Another reason application is important. What is Timothy to pursue instead and how do you do that?
• Righteousness, Grk word dikaiosune
• State approved by God -- we don't need God's approval to be loved, that state for a believer in Jesus is unconditional
• Integrity, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting (this cannot come from within us; we are all flawed and we need external sources (truth) to think, feel, and act correctly)
• Godliness, Grk word eusebeia, meaning reverence, respect, and acts of piety towards God
• In a previous chapter, Paul discussed the practice of godliness and training for godliness
• Acts of piety is obedience to the word of God.
• APPLICATION: I believe we develop godliness by application of the word of God to our life. Those are the acts of piety toward God that show respect. We hear God in his word and we respect God by obeying his word
• Faith -- trusting God. Trusting God's word provides the answers to life
• Love -- unselfish affection and service to others (even the grouchy, unlovable, demand their own way - churchgoers)
John 13:34–35 (ESV) — 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
• Steadfastness, Grk word hupomone
• (read definition) 1A in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings (Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.)
• It is easy to give up. Why do we give up on things?
• It's too hard
• It takes too long
• It is not interesting
• We don't see the benefit
• Rather than quitting in the midst of opposition (fleshly and otherwise), Paul tells Timothy to remain steadfast
• Gentleness
• The opposite of demanding your own way
• The opposite of pride and arrogance
• The opposite of narcissism
• The opposite of the me-too generation
• APPLICATON: Put other people first and treat them as you would want to be treated
• Why does Paul tell Timothy to "fight the good fight of  the faith?"
• It is not easy
• Spiritual growth, spiritual disciplines -- our flesh fights us at every opportunity
• A soldier's life is not easy in battle. And no one wins a battle without training. APPLICATION: Are we really training ourselves spiritually for the battle?
• A lot of Christians have eternal life because they asked Jesus to be their savior, but they are not experiencing eternal life?
• Eternal life is a quality of life
• Eternal life has a peace that whatever happens, God cares for me and it will result in his best


1 Timothy 6:13–16 (ESV) —
13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.


• What is the good confession that Timothy and Jesus made?
• Jesus is the king of kings
• Jesus is the source of all truth
• What is the commandment? It is hard to say. I would offer two options
• One, the gospel is the command. We are to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
• Two, to not give up. To fight the good fight and to never renounce Jesus as the king
• The latter idea is supported by the ending. Who is Jesus and when is his appearing?
• Technically, the second coming (although we will meet him in the air at the rapture)
• Jesus is the
• Blessed and only sovereign
• King of kings
• Lord of lords
• Alone is immortal
• Dwells in unapproachable light
• No one has ever seen or can see (God)
• Belongs honor
• Belongs eternal dominion
• APPLICATION: What does that all mean to us?
• God demands our obedience
• But we can't be obedient if we do not hear him. And communicates through his word


1 Timothy 6:17–19 (ESV) —
17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.


• Earlier in the letter, the discussion focused on the non-rich and the snare of riches. He encouraged contentment. Now the discussion moves to the rich. What is the instruction to the rich and why is that important?
• One. Not to be haughty
• Riches sometimes make people think they are better than others
• Riches can give people an attitude of superiority (Example: I used to fly a lot and before Continental merged with United, I was upgraded quite often to first class. I saw an expectation of special treatment that was ugly)
• Two. Not to set hopes on the uncertainty of riches
• It is easy to think that money can solve all problems
• Money is uncertain. It can come and go
• Money can't fix relational problems
• Money can't change your children or stop them from making bad choices
• Money can actually increase selfishness and indulgence
• Three. Set our hope on God who richly provides everything to enjoy
• There is nothing wrong with enjoying life
• We need to keep God in the picture
• We need to be thankful
• We need to pray regularly
• Riches should not affect our prayer life
• Four. The rich are to do good
• Money is to be used for good
• Giving to charities is a wonderful good
• Five. The rich are to be rich in good works
• Use the riches for good works
• Good works are not always a tax deduction
• Six. The rich are to be generous and ready to share
• The rich should see everything as God's and not theirs


1 Timothy 6:20–21 (ESV) —
20 O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” 21 for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.
Grace be with you.


• What changes in these last couple of sentences?
• The letter gets very personal here
• What is he supposed to guard?
• I think it is the teaching of the Christian faith that was passed on by Paul
• Irreverent babble is teaching that does no good
• Contradictions is probably related to the gnostic teaching (the higher learnings) that contradicted sound doctrine
• The special knowledge of Gnosticism is falsely called knowledge
• The dangers of these teachings is that they can cause us to swerve from the faith
• APPLICATION:
• Stay in the word
• Apply the word
• Protect the word
• Live the word

1 Tim 6:1-10, Godliness needs to be our goal in life

• The theme
• Titus and Timothy are Pastoral letters
• These letters expound on church order not church doctrine
1. The greeting 1:1-2
• Not personal but rather formal -- emphasizes Paul's authority
2. Timothy's Mission 1:3-20
1. The task Timothy faced 1:3-11
2. Exhortations 1:12-20
3. Instructions concerning the life of the local church -- "order" (2:1-4:5)
1. The priority of prayer 2:1-7 -- It is good to pray -- we need prayer
2. The primary responsibilities (roles) of the men and women in church meetings (2:8-15)
1. The men have failed to take a spiritual leadership role
2. There is no argument on the capability of women, only where she should teach and lead
3. The qualifications for Church leaders -- Elders and Deacons 3:1-13
4. The nature of the local Church 3:14-16
5. The problem of apostasy in the Church 4:1-5
4. Instructions concerning leadership of the local Church 4:6-5:25
5. Instructions for groups within the church 6:1-19
6. Concluding charge and benediction 6:20-21


I think this section is summarizing things. I think Paul speaks to the majority (members of the church), then to teachers, then to the rich, and then to Timothy. Each section is applicable to all, but some are more applicable to others.


I.e., you might be a boss, but you also have a boss. You might not be a teacher in a class, but you do teach. You might not be rich, but compared to others, you are rich. You might not be the leader of the church, but you have a responsibility to be an example.


1 Timothy 6:1–2 (ESV) — 1 Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. 2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.
Teach and urge these things.


• This and other verses have been used to justify slavery in time past. There are a lot of difficulty with that argument.
• One, slavery in the Jewish system was limited in time.
• Two, the Roman system was true slavery, but as a whole all people were used the system for work.
• Three, Paul's instruction for masters completely destroys the whole essence of the server-master relationship of slavery
• Fourth, Jesus' teaching on serving was pretty clear. He was a servant to all, even though he was Master. And we are to follow his example
• We all read our own biases (our narrative) into our environment
• I enjoyed the Wednesday night discussion, but I saw a lot of bias in the view of events that comes from all people -- none of us are alone, we all suffer from cognitive dissonance (something believe to be true but turns out to be false, where you brain rewrites the narrative to fit your belief)
• Instead, we will apply this to the employer-employee relationship which is the context where this would have been better understood
• Before we do that, let's reread the end of verse 2 -- "Teach and urge these things"
• However we view verse 2's place, it still refers back to verses 1 and 2
• What are the instructions for employees?
• (Believing and non-believing boss) Treat their boss as worthy of all honor (this is the same word used for Elders who do a good job)
• (Believing boss) Must not be disrespectful to boss
• (Believing boss) Service must be just as good (if not better)
• What is the purpose or reason for instruction?
• Name of God may not be reviled
• Teaching (of God) may not be reviled
• Why would our interactions with our boss affect our witness?
• Our changed life is our best witness
• Our changed life affirms our words
• If we can't change our work attitude to our boss how can change our life? We spend more time at work than any other activity other than sleeping
• APPLICATION:
• What can we do to show respect to our boss at work?
1. Do a great job
2. Do a quality job
3. Do an on-time job (or even better, before-time)
4. Praying for your boss


1 Timothy 6:3–5 (ESV) —
3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.


• This is at least the third time Paul has addressed this issue
• 1:3-7 Paul tells Timothy to command and warn
• 4 Paul tells them what to teach
• 6:3ff Paul reminds them of what he has told them
• => A key problem in this church has been misguided teaching
• What is good teaching?
1. Agrees with sound doctrine
• Scripture interprets scripture
• The bible does not contradict itself (if you are looking for a contradiction, you will find it -- good example of cognitive dissonance)
2. Accords with godliness
• If teaching doesn't cause change, it is not good teaching
• We should always be having discussion on application
• Christians fool themselves
• Attend church but do nothing
• Don't attend church, but just pray and do nothing
• God is very clear - we must be hearers of the Word of God and Doers of the word of God
James 1:19–25 (ESV) — 19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
• If you are not following these two rules, how are those teachers characterized?
• Puffed up with conceit -- when you think you don't need the word of God but can have a relationship with God without the teaching of the word
• Understands nothing -- the world does not give good wisdom. Pithy sayings are not substitute for daily intake of the word of God
• Unhealthy craving for controversy and quarrels -- I think most Christians are in this boat in regard to politics
• What is the result of bad, non-biblical teaching?
• Envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction -- this is the answer our world is right now using to solve its problems -- IT WON"T WORK
• Depravity -- leads to all kind of physical and sexual sins
• Deprived in truth -- almost a hatred of the word of God (in the teachers)
• Warped sense of godliness -- you can make money talking about God
• APPLICATION:
• Not only do we need to get under teachers who teach the word; we need to be in the word ourselves for our own protection
Acts 17:11 (ESV) — 11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.


1 Timothy 6:6–10 (ESV) —
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.


• Verse 6 is such a beautiful verse and very easy to memorize
• In contrast to using godliness to make money, Paul turns it on his head. What is he saying?
• Godliness is becoming like God, a changed person -- a doer of the word
• Combined with contentment, being satisfied, is great gain
• The Greek word, porismos, means source of gain. There is a sense of provision which no amount of money can equal
Matthew 6:25–33 (ESV) — 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Hebrews 13:5–6 (ESV) — 5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”
• NO FEAR
• We brought nothing in and we are taking nothing home
• So how are we using our money
• Yes, we should plan and save for the future
• Yes, we should use our money for the good of others
• No, we should not obsess about money
• Paul talks about contentment in the book of Philippians
Philippians 4:10–13 (ESV) — 10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
• Why is contentment important?
• There is a snare out there that Satan uses to ruin our faith
• Greed is a trap. It will ruin you spiritually
• Greed feeds the flesh and it the cause of a lot of spiritual struggles
• How do you fight greed?
• You give it away
• Almost 40 years ago, I started giving to the Lord
• When I started working, I started at a least a tenth -- I did not know any better
• Every year, I would get a pay increase or promotion. But I put more proportionally into giving than into non-giving. And I did not notice it in my budget
• I also started a savings program for giving -- money that was only to be used for ministry or giving projects
• I actually got excited about giving and being part of the lives of many missionaries
• You prioritize knowing God over money
• Almost every day I sync my bank account with Quicken
• I have my quiet time before I sync my bank account or check my spending
• APPLICATION:
• What is more important in your life?
• Your time with God
• Your bank account
• Memorize
1 Timothy 6:6 (ESV) — 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain,

1 Tim 5:17-25, The care and choosing of Elders

• The theme
• Titus and Timothy are Pastoral letters
• These letters expound on church order not church doctrine
1. The greeting 1:1-2
• Not personal but rather formal -- emphasizes Paul's authority
2. Timothy's Mission 1:3-20
1. The task Timothy faced 1:3-11
2. Exhortations 1:12-20
3. Instructions concerning the life of the local church -- "order" (2:1-4:5)
1. The priority of prayer 2:1-7 -- It is good to pray -- we need prayer
2. The primary responsibilities (roles) of the men and women in church meetings (2:8-15)
1. The men have failed to take a spiritual leadership role
2. There is no argument on the capability of women, only where she should teach and lead
3. The qualifications for Church leaders -- Elders and Deacons 3:1-13
4. The nature of the local Church 3:14-16
5. The problem of apostasy in the Church 4:1-5
4. Instructions concerning leadership of the local Church 4:6-5:25
5. Instructions for groups within the church 6:1-19
6. Concluding charge and benediction 6:20-21




1 Timothy 5:17–21 (ESV) — 17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.


• We have already discuss the high qualifications required to be an elder. Here, Paul alludes to three ministries that we see them involved in, what are they?
• Ruling
• Preaching (exhorting)
• Teaching
• Are there others not mentioned?
• I think shepherding is part of being an elder as well
• In one of the Evangelical Free churches we attended, we divided the church up into elder groups where it was our responsibility to care and keep in contract
• For myself, I do better in one-on-one relationships than I do in groups
• It is hard to be part-time and still serve as an elder
• In this church, the Pastors are elders, but I think some of the Deacons probably function in that role, and then even those who are not called Deacons
• If elders are worthy of double honor, what is the single honor they also enjoy?
• Respect
• Listen to their instructions
• What does "double honor" refer to, at least in the context?
• Greek word, times, honor, value, and price
• Some versions say "honorarium" -- but the point is financial or something of value
• I know a person who bought his Pastor books to show his appreciation
• But it goes farther than honor -- what does Paul also say and why?
• Their character and dignity needs to be protected
• One single attack against an elder should not even be acknowledged
• Having said that, certainly a series of accusations with similar characteristics needs to be investigated
• But if we accept single charges against an elder, Satan will very quickly eliminate the spiritual leadership of the church
• The idea of "persist in sin" is also interesting, why?
• I think this is a bit of red herring. There is no word for "persist"
• Obviously, we all sin, but these are the types of sin they affect the name of Christ. The penalty is public rebuke
• (and not said, but implied) possibly removal from the office of elder
• Why?
• An example of the seriousness of the position is the public rebuke
• But Paul also warns Timothy in this regard, what is the warning?
• We are not to prejudge
• We are not to be partial (which is very hard because we do have conscious and unconscious biases)


1 Timothy 5:22 (ESV) — 22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.


• In the context, the "laying on of hands" is probably referring to what?
• The selection of men to be leaders -- elders and deacons
• The selection of elders cannot be based on popularity nor done quickly
• I remember filling out a 12 page paper on my theological views and my testimony when NEBC was considering me for elder
• I was interviewed prior and then I went before the entire board of elders and was questioned for about an hour on my responses
• The sin of others is what?
• It is selecting someone who is unqualified because a person or group of persons believe the person should be or should not be and elder or deacon
• Certainly, the opinion of the body is important, but no group should dominate
• Finally, Paul says "keep yourself pure," what is he saying?
• I really like this quote, and Larson (2000) builds it off of Paul's earlier comment to Timothy to "train yourself to be godly"


The conclusion of the matter? Keep yourself pure. This responsibility can never be delegated. Paul had already encouraged Timothy to “train [himself] to be godly” (1 Tim. 4:7). Each pastor, each professed believer is responsible for his or her own soul in this area. The church and other Christians must help us in our spiritual journey, but we decide what disciplines will become part of our lives.


For example, there may be a wonderful health club just down the street from your house. It may offer the latest in diet plans, exercise equipment, and personal training. But if you do not take the time to eat the right foods, visit the club, or use the equipment, it will not make any difference in your life.


The same is true spiritually. A church can offer wonderful worship services, appropriate Bible classes, and spiritual mentoring, but we must take the personal steps toward growth. Attendance alone will never generate spiritual maturity.


(Larson, K. (2000). I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon (Vol. 9, p. 228). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)




1 Timothy 5:23–25 (ESV) — 23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) 24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.


• The letter seems to shift abruptly in verse 23 but then continues back on the subject. Why do you think that is?
• I think it is really hard to deal with people especially if you have to deny them something
• Also it is hard to rebuke someone
• Also it is hard to go against the crowd
• => All of these things can lead to physical issues: ulcers, upset stomach, etc
• It is pretty clear the Timothy totally abstained from alcohol
• This is unusual in the society because of the water
• Also, some medicinal applications used wine as well back then
• Here, Paul is telling him to drink some wine. Part of your problem is that you might be drinking bad water. There is certainly evidence that alcohol can help (wine more especially) if it is not drunk in excess
• One other reason for the wine comment may have been the doctrine of asceticism, which is to deny your body and pleasures
• This is also closely associated with legalism
• I think verse 24-25 are still focused on choosing leaders. What is the point?
• Some people are pretty obvious
• Others are duplicitous. But they do not escape judgement. Their sins will catch up to them.
• APPLICATION: I think this is a good warning for all of us. We all have secret sins. We need to confess and repent. We need to change