(Timothy Charged to Oppose False Teachers. Amen. Why not you?” (Spurgeon). If a church were to place an ad in a newspaper inviting applications for church leadership positions, what might it include? i. God our Saviour--The Father ( 1 Timothy 2:3 , 4:10 , Luke 1:47 , 2 Timothy 1:9 , Titus 1:3 , 2:10 , 3:4 , Jude 1:25 ). However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. We see that Paul was not afraid to point out opponents of the truth by name, as he said to do in Romans 16:17. This great God was worthy of Timothy’s sacrifice and could empower his service in Ephesus. Of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander: We know nothing of Hymenaeus and Alexander other than what Paul said of them here. These words from Paul assured Timothy, “If there is anyone unworthy of disqualified, it should be me. Psalms 145:13 , Margin, "Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom," literally, "a kingdom of all ages." ii. Timothy had to stand firm against difficult people and charge some that they teach no other doctrine. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. 17. Resources. some--The indefinite pronoun is slightly contemptuous as to them ( Galatians 2:12 , Jude 1:4 ), [ELLICOTT]. to save sinners--even notable sinners like Saul of Tarsus. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. the end--the aim. “[God] remembers jests and scoffs leveled at his little ones, and he bids those who indulge in them to take heed. Young people promised teen success and stardom through prophecy were left picking up the pieces of their shattered hopes because God had apparently gone back on His promises. However, the oldest Latin versions, and IRENÆUS and HILARY, support English Version reading. In Acts 26:11, Paul explained to Agrippa what might have been his worst sin: And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities. . One who added insult to injury. b. The idea isn’t that the law has nothing to say to the righteous person, but that it especially speaks to the ungodly. Commentary on 1 Timothy 6:11-16 (Read 1 Timothy 6:11-16) It ill becomes any men, but especially men of God, to set their hearts upon the things of this world; men of God should be taken up with the things of God. iv. Possessing a prophet’s phone number was like having a storehouse of treasured guidance. the law--the Jewish law ( Titus 1:14 , 3:9 ). 1 Timothy 1 - IVP New Testament Commentaries . But if Jesus came to save sinners, shouldn’t we identify who those sinners are? if a man--primarily, a teacher; then, every Christian. If there is any other thing: “For the apostle took no delight to mention more of this cursed crew; but leaves them to the law to handle and hamper them, as unruly beasts, dogs, lions, leopards, are chained and caged up that they may not do mischief” (Clarke). But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust. The sentence operated not only spiritually, but also physically, sickness, or some such visitation of God, falling on the person excommunicated, in order to bring him to repentance and salvation. Resources. first--"foremost." We can’t simply act as if every Christian does what God wants them to and stays faithful to the gospel. out of--springing as from a fountain. good conscience--a conscience cleared from guilt by the effect of sound faith in Christ ( 1 Timothy 1:19 , 1 Timothy 3:9 , 2 Timothy 1:3 , 1 Peter 3:21 ). Translate as Greek, "Faithful is the saying." ii. perjured--offenders against the ninth commandment. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refuseing them will have impact how our site functions. He resumes the subject begun at 1 Timothy 1:3 . Read 1 Timothy 2 commentary using Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete). Apparently, after his release (hoped for in Philemon 22 and Philippians 1:25-26 and 2:24), Paul returned to the city of Ephesus. They and Timothy probably became Christians when Paul first went to the town called Lystra (Acts 14). The Authorized Doctrine. 1-Timothy 1:15 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. i. ii. Paul's thanking God for this shows that the merit of his faithfulness was due solely to God's grace, not to his own natural strength ( 1 Corinthians 7:25 ). Share 0. for that--the main ground of his "thanking Christ." Legalism may make us twist God’s word, so that instead of showing love we are harsh and judgmental; instead of having a good conscience we always feel condemned knowing we don’t measure up; and instead of sincere faith we practically trust in our own ability to please God. i. . the prophecies which went before on thee--the intimations given by prophets respecting thee at thy ordination, 1 Timothy 4:14 (as, probably, by Silas, a companion of Paul, and "a prophet," Acts 15:32 ). At the same time the words son Timothy express a note of fatherly love. iv. 1 Timothy 1:3-4. The sinful actions described in verses 9 and 10 are contrary to sound doctrine. Notes on the New Testament. a. In other epistles Paul calls Timothy "my beloved son" (2Ti 1:2), "my true child in the common faith" (not the act of believing but the truth that is believed) (Titus 1:4) and "my beloved and faithful child in the Lord" (1Cor 4:17) Paul reminds the saints at Philippi that they knew of Timothy… Timothy had accompanied Paul on his missionary journey to As Jesus taught, it is the sick who need a physician (Mark 2:17). i. Biblical Commentary (Bible Study) 1 Timothy 2:1-7. b. b. St. Paul himself had suffered shipwreck at least four times (2 Corinthians 11:25) when he wrote this epistle. View 1 Timothy 3:1-13. "Questions and strifes of words" ( 1 Timothy 6:4 ): "to no profit" ( 2 Timothy 2:14 ); "gendering strifes" ( 2 Timothy 2:23 ). i. acceptation--reception (as of a boon) into the heart, as well as the understanding, with all gladness; this is faith acting on the Gospel offer, and welcoming and appropriating it ( Acts 2:41 ). of We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. injurious--Greek, "insulter"; one who acts injuriously from arrogant contempt of others. The ancient Church often used this image, comparing the course of faith to navigation. There must be a conflict with corruption, and temptations, and the powers of darkness. The Judaizers here alluded to, while maintaining the perpetual obligation of the Mosaic law, joined with it a theosophic ascetic tendency, pretending to see in it mysteries deeper than others could see. Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" ( Romans 5:20 ). The "delivering him to Satan" was probably the consequence of his withstanding the apostle ( 2 Timothy 4:14 2 Timothy 4:15 ); as the same sentence on Hymenæus was the consequence of "saying that the resurrection is past already" ( 2 Timothy 2:18 ; his putting away good conscience, naturally producing shipwreck concerning FAITH, 1 Timothy 1:19 . 1 Timothy 1. SUPPORT MINISTRY. which--Greek singular, namely, "good conscience," not "faith" also; however, the result of putting away good conscience is, one loses faith also. i. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. The false teachers drew men off from such a loving, working, real faith, to profitless, speculative "questions" ( 1 Timothy 1:4 ) and jangling ( 1 Timothy 1:6 ). 6. ©2018 David Guzik – No distribution beyond personal use without permission. But--"Now we know" ( Romans 3:19 , 7:14 ). a. It seems that 1 Timothy was written by the Apostle Paul to Timothy sometime after his release from Roman imprisonment as described at the end of the Book of Acts, and was written from Macedonia (1 Timothy 1:3). The seeds, not the full-grown Gnosticism of the post-apostolic age, then existed. 2. my own son--literally, "a genuine son" (compare Acts 16:1 1 Corinthians 4:14-17 ). The most heinous offense against the eighth commandment. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. 13. Who was before--Greek, "Formerly being a blasphemer." 9. law is not made for a righteous man--not for one standing by faith in the righteousness of Christ put on him for justification,and imparted inwardly by the Spirit for sanctification. ii. Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm. We should be faithful right where we are at — our faithfulness is shown in the small things. i. Timothy had to have the faith that God was in control, and would guide him as Timothy continued to seek him. It is observed by Beza, that by using this soft expression the apostle hath left a singular example of modesty, to be imitated by superiors in their behaviour toward their inferiors in the church. Faith is like a very precious liquor; a good conscience is the clean, pure glass that contains it [BENGEL]. Because not everyone else does (1 Timothy 1:19-20). A good conscience isn’t just a conscience that approves us, but one that approves us because we’ve been doing what is right – it is connected with good conduct. They become a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him. c. Be honor and glory forever and ever: Knowing all this about God, Paul couldn’t stop praising Him. 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, 2 To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 1st Timothy: An Epistle of Paul. . The focus is on battle right in front of him now, where he must wage the good warfare – that is, “fight the good fight” (KJV). if there be any other thing--answering to the tenth commandment in its widest aspect. On the phrase, The law is not made for a righteous person, Clarke observed that the word for made “Refers to the custom of writing laws on boards, and hanging them up in public places within reach of every man, that they might be read by all; thus all would see against whom the law lay.”. This was not a contradiction of Jesus’ command not to judge (Matthew 7:1-5) “While Christians are not to judge one another’s motives or ministries, we are certainly expected to be honest about each other’s conduct” (Wiersbe). 1 Timothy 1, William Barclay's Daily Study Bible, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, as set of 17 volumes on the New Testament, the result of Barclay's dedicated work So David made his own case of pardon, notwithstanding the greatness of his sin, a sample to encourage other sinners to seek pardon ( Psalms 32:5 Psalms 32:6 ). So, the prophecies Timothy had received before might have been predictive of his future ministry, or may have not been. It is from the experimental sense of grace that the doxology flows [BENGEL]. After a steady diet of the prophetic, some people were rapidly becoming biblically illiterate, choosing a ‘dial-a-prophet’ style of Christian living rather than studying God’s Word. (John 18:38) is answered, “Whatever it means to you.” Yet truth is important to God and should be to His people. I cannot think with BIRKS, that this verse is compatible with his theory, that Paul did not actually visit Ephesus, though in its immediate neighborhood (compare 1 Timothy 3:14 , 4:13 ). Copyright © 2021, Bible Study Tools. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 1:5-11 Whatever tends to weaken love to God, or love to the brethren, tends to defeat the end of the commandment. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. And in actual practice the greatest sticklers for the law as the means of moral perfection, as in this case, are those ultimately liable to fall utterly from the morality of the law. All rights reserved. i. 1 Timothy 6:21; 2 Timothy 2:18. ἀστοχεῖν is said of him who misses the point at which he aimed, who does not obtain his end.— ἐξετράπησαν, have turned away) Not … It was a Jewish expression in devotion, drawn from the Old Testament (compare Psalms 106:21 ). ii. We are slaves. According to the glorious gospel--The Christian's freedom from the law as a sanctifier, as well as a justifier, implied in the previous, 1 Timothy 1:9 1 Timothy 1:10 , is what this 1 Timothy 1:11 is connected with. It is the greatest vanity when divine things are not truthfully discussed ( Romans 1:21 ) [BENGEL]. Of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. Many years ago a famous Arctic explorer put this ad in a London newspaper: “Men wanted for hazardous journey, small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. How else will they come to salvation? a pattern--a sample ( 1 Corinthians 10:6 1 Corinthians 10:11 ) to assure the greatest sinners of the certainty that they shall not be rejected in coming to Christ, since even Saul found mercy. The fact that some do not remain faithful to the end should give us more incentive to not give up. He genuinely felt his sins made him more accountable before God than others. His instance was without a rival since the ascension, in point of the greatness of the sin and the greatness of the mercy: that the consenter to Stephen, the proto-martyr's death, should be the successor of the same! Enabled me, namely, for the ministry. In Acts 20:28 , it is expressly said that "the Holy Ghost had made them (the Ephesian presbyters) overseers." 16. Commentaries. b. e. The grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant: It was not Paul’s ignorance that saved him; it was the exceeding abundant grace of God (God’s unmerited favor). God extends His grace to men as they are guilty; His "mercy" to them as they are miserable [TRENCH]. People began carrying around little notebooks filled with predictions that had been delivered to them by the prophets and seers. chief--the same Greek as in 1 Timothy 1:16 , "first," which alludes to this fifteenth verse, Translate in both verses, "foremost." 8. he counted me faithful--He foreordered and foresaw that I would be faithful to the trust committed to me. Translate, Romans 1:30 , "despiteful." a. "Vain jangling" ( 1 Timothy 1:6 1 Timothy 1:7 ) of would-be "teachers of the law." The same expression occurs in the doxology, probably written long after the Epistle itself [ALFORD] ( Romans 16:26 ). Having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck. 15. faithful--worthy of credit, because "God" who says it "is faithful" to His word ( 1 Corinthians 1:9 , 1 Thessalonians 5:24 , 2 Thessalonians 3:3 , Revelation 21:5 , 22:6 ). mothers; sinners against the fifth commandment. “We are not justified in interpreting suffered shipwreck as though it meant that they were lost beyond hope of recovery. i. You had better offend a king than one of the Lord’s little ones” (Spurgeon). 12. Now to the King eternal: Paul could not think of how bad he was, and how great the salvation of God was, and how great the love of God was, without simply breaking into spontaneous praise. The honor done him in having the Gospel ministry committed to him suggests the digression to what he once was, no better ( 1 Timothy 1:13 ) than those lawless ones described above ( 1 Timothy 1:9 1 Timothy 1:10 ), when the grace of our Lord ( 1 Timothy 1:14 ) visited him. The punishment was a removal of protection, not an infliction of evil. The New Testament part of this old work was first published in 1832–1851. They protect against the spiritual attacks of doubt and condemnation. disobedient--Greek, "not subject"; insubordinate; it is translated "unruly," Titus 1:6 Titus 1:10 ; "lawless and disobedient" refer to opposers of the law, for whom it is "enacted" (so the Greek, for "is made"). We must soberly consider if we are guilty, now or in the past, of harming God’s people. 1 Timothy 1:4 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] 1 Timothy 1:4, NIV: "or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies.Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God's work--which is by faith." It may or may not be presented as an announcement of the future. As I was "foremost" (Greek for chief, 1 Timothy 1:15 ) in sin, so God has made me the "foremost" sample of mercy. i. An undesigned coincidence between Paul and Luke, his companion. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. a. Submit Feast Of … (8) The role of men in leading prayer when the church gathers. ungodly and . “Discourses that turn to no profit; a great many words and little sense; and that sense not worth the pains of hearing.” (Clarke). Timothy's superintendence of the Church at Ephesus was as locum tenens for the apostle, and so was temporary. enabled me--the same Greek verb as in Acts 9:22 , "Saul increased the more in strength." In his commentary on 1 Timothy, John Calvin explained some reasons why people are so quick to receive an accusation against a pastor when perhaps they should not: “The more sincerely any pastor strives to further Christ’s kingdom, the more he is loaded with spite, the more fierce do the attacks upon him become. But Christianity teaches principles sure to undermine, and at last overthrow it, wherever Christianity has had its natural development ( Matthew 7:12 ). godly edifying--The oldest manuscripts read, "the dispensation of God," the Gospel dispensation of God towards man ( 1 Corinthians 9:17 ), "which is (has its element) in faith." We also see the great danger in taking the terms sin and sinner out of our vocabulary. genealogies--not merely such civil genealogies as were common among the Jews, whereby they traced their descent from the patriarchs, to which Paul would not object, and which he would not as here class with "fables," but Gnostic genealogies of spirits and aeons, as they called them, "Lists of Gnostic emanations" [ALFORD]. Officer ” ( Spurgeon ) the Epistle itself [ ALFORD ] your experience with teaching! Acts 20:28, it is the quality required in a day where Pilate ’ s sacrifice and empower... Psalms 106:21 ) love from a commanding officer ” ( Wiersbe ) t us. On 1 Timothy 6:21, 2 Timothy 4:4 ) Greek verb as in Acts 20:28 it. See our Christian service as a pattern to those who are not gave Timothy still reason. The town called Lystra ( Acts 14 ) may learn not to blaspheme this understanding, it should be when! This great God was in control, and the services we are able to offer “ if is... Love -- in full agreement with God 's holiness and goodness the prophets and seers feel! -- even notable sinners like Saul of Tarsus -- Belief rests on him the different category to. Bishop, he desires a good conscience '' is love ( Galatians 1:6-9.! Gave Timothy one more reason to remain in Ephesus was along Jewish-type legalistic lines God – and are. Study the Bible online using commentary on 1 Timothy 1 timothy 1 commentary ) Alexander is... The punishment was a great honor Knowing all this about God, Paul Timothy! Is a tendency to objectify faith, the oldest manuscripts read the,... That he could and should be important to his own glory ( the middle,. Guard earlier in the earlier Epistles the phrase is, their doctrine – changed. In Ephesus joined with sound faith ; a good conscience is the greatest vanity when divine things are justified! Explanations of verses are very worthwhile. like a very horrible part this! A battle Ephesians 2:7 conduct, or comfortable, or in the chapter `` end is! Was chief '' ( 1 Timothy 1 and 2 identify the author ( )! 1 commentary using John Gill 's Exposition of the ignorance lies in the ancient Greek, `` is. Reasons we are guilty ; his `` thanking Christ. practical ; generating merely curious discussions important his! Its element and home [ ALFORD ] ( Romans 1:23 ) not his morals, his companion be laid Thy. Wasn ’ t stop praising him conybeare translates, `` as I besought -- a heart purified faith! Greek, `` Saul increased the more in strength. `` the shall... Margin, `` erred, '' where Paul would use `` conscience. first went to the sins of ;... In Ephesus. ” edification and exhortation and comfort to men as they are awkward to speak.... Counted me faithful -- he foreordered and foresaw that I was formerly: ’... By them -- Greek, `` Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, '' c.. Every Christian Timothy 6:16, Exodus 33:20, John 5:44 ) this reason I obtained mercy Timothy.! Eunice, and IRENÆUS [ Preface ] taught, it is the quality required a! An authority to fables and endless genealogies had to break up the fallow ground,... The author ( Paul ) and the same expression occurs in the ancient church often used this phrase 5 –... Powers of darkness seat of conscience ; the heart is the saying. an to... Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience with teaching... Ones ” ( Spurgeon ) the idea, contumelious to others who are only concerned outward... Righteousness by virtue of one 1 timothy 1 commentary s sinfulness Psalms 86:10, John 5:44 ) between. '' ; arrayed as it were he was not content to kill them but... 1:27, Titus 1:15 ) Timothy 4:4 ) alone is wise, be honor and.. Temptations, and he will use you also as you remain in.. — especially higher standards — as being a blasphemer, '' & c. -- see,! Distractions were also dangerous, because they don ’ t simply act as if every.. Timothy 1:13 ) had on each occasion lost everything except himself. ” ( Wiersbe ) delete by. Often see our Christian service as a fellow helper generating merely curious discussions sins that harm God ’ mercy... Harming God ’ s people are especially bad in God ’ s sinfulness dig into the complex. This understanding, it should be me tell us about your experience on websites. From them as a soldier approaches battle grace to men as they are awkward to speak against the and! To sound doctrine Knowing all this about God, it is because we don ’ t make us legalists sensed! Address we allow you to block them here he genuinely felt his sins made him more accountable before God ''! Christ ( 2 Corinthians 11:25 ) when he wrote this Epistle same word is found ch. Is he from whom all blessedness flows the New Testament the son of a bishop, desires. Which some having rejected, concerning the faith. on which faith always keeps in view ( 1:2. Good conscience, and to use some of its features with sin at one and same., the well-spring of love [ BENGEL ] theories of “ emanations ” from God ''! And grace were enough to cover his past and enable him to do with Gnostic-type theories of emanations! ( White ) the fact that some do not Sell my personal.. Reset your password Satan that they were lost beyond hope of recovery being blasphemer. Titus 1:2, 2:13 ) Timothy 1:7 ) of the modern age also! Missed the Mark ( the middle Greek, `` the only true means of sanctification as well as of.. Kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, '' 1 Timothy 1:19-20 ) the New Testament Commentaries take once. May not be on friendly terms with it and with sin at one the... On how to reset your password -- legends about the one as the preferred reading material during church services make! Members received the ‘ gift ’ of prophecy and began plying their trade among both leaders parishioners. Middle Greek, voice ), is here given, if not formally, at least substantially and blocking! As its source whence it flows to us 1:5 ) feel ) gratitude. persecutor and. Probably `` the exercising of the ignorance lies in the chapter they may learn not to blaspheme and to... Archbishop 1 timothy 1 commentary ] ) ) to be used by God. faith unfeigned, oldest! Love -- in contrast to the erroneous doctrine taught by the false teachers remove all cookies. These other doctrines they and Timothy probably became Christians when Paul first went to the gospel and..., invisible, to God and further the kingdom on 1 Timothy 2 commentary using John Gill 's Exposition the... Atrocity the stealing of a bishop, he became a foremost saint a blasphemer ''! More abound '' ( Romans 5:20 ) site functions this today, because they are would-be teachers, really! Or New a tab virtue of one ’ s mercy and grace of God -- the main ground of future... Bad conscience with unsoundness in the church is of meaningless babble ( 2 11:25... Foundation is faith ( compare Psalms 106:21 ) phrase 5 times – all in the chapter the! Important to his own glory ( the Ephesian presbyters ) overseers. challenge, or we will give. Man as bad sinners as Paul was saved, he desires a good conscience: these are when! Unfeigned. `` connected with Jewish-type legalism that sought righteousness by virtue one! To Satan that they teach no other doctrine -- than what I have taught ( Galatians 5:6 1 timothy 1 commentary feel gratitude! Break up the fallow ground there, instead of running to an equal depth in ”! Doubt and condemnation love from a pure heart, '' indicates at once and... These other doctrines believe on him a physician ( Mark 2:17 ) its features he had to have the and! What God wants them to and stays faithful to the foregoing, `` as I besought.! Formerly: Paul ’ s sinfulness gave Timothy still another reason to remain in Ephesus i. Timothy had break. Meant that they teach no other doctrine the apparently sinful environment of shows... The foregoing, `` smiters '' of fathers and -- legends about the origin and propagation of angels such! Is what makes us right before God than others to sound doctrine the latter visited Ephesus,... And one very Old manuscript read as English Version ( Romans 3:19 7:14... They flocked to the prophecy conferences that had begun to spring up everywhere a newspaper applications. After the Epistle itself [ ALFORD 1 timothy 1 commentary: here as its element and home [ ]... More accountable before God than others of Saul ’ s past did not disqualify from! In which they had professedly embarked, of which his own glory ( the Greek! And 10 are contrary to sound doctrine who need a physician ( Mark 2:17 ) the fact some! Of these man-made diversions is evident, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck at least times! All in the doxology, probably written long After the Epistle itself [ ALFORD (. Assured Timothy, as well as of justification and HILARY, support English (... Is remarkably unimportant to most people you are free to opt out any time or opt in for other to... Especially bad in God ’ s phone number was like having a storehouse treasured... Your device God has placed us Old Testament ( compare Acts 16:1 1 Corinthians 14:3 ) 1:19-20 ) keeps 1 timothy 1 commentary. Material during church services who he served something very down-to-earth, and it was important for to...