Introductory remarks:
Paul continues the doctrine of Christian duties. "Paul tells Timothy to teach believing servants to treat their masters well. He says to stay away from disputers who stir up arguments and equate wealth to godliness. Living godly lives contentedly is what is valuable. We came into life with nothing and will take nothing out. Striving for wealth ruins a man and brings great sorrow. He says to let the promise of eternal life encourage a person to amass a wealth of good works toward others. He ends by telling Timothy to avoid useless arguments with those claiming to have knowledge" (A Survey of 1 Timothy - By Brenda). This chapter may be outlined as follows: Christian duties continued vv. 1-2: False teaching and true wealth vv. 3-10: Fight the good fight vv. 11-21.
Christian Duties Continued
Verse 1, "Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed."
LGT "As many as bondmen are under a yoke, let them esteem their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the teaching be not blasphemed."
As many as bondsmen are under a yoke: yoke used only here of the state of slavery (Vincent). Some of these slaves were yoked to a heathen master. Let them esteem their own masters worthy of all honor: Paul is saying that a slave should not work as if they were under bondage, but work hard and prove that they are Christians, and give respect to their masters. This is not in the mind of the heathen slave. The Christian slave may have a heathen master, and this is all the more reason they should work as unto the Lord. That the name of God and the teaching be not blasphemed: the slave should not allow the master to blaspheme God because of the sloth of the slave. If the heathen masters sees the salve working hard, and with no resentment, that master will see that the Christian slave is different, and won't be able to say that the unbelieving slaves work harder than the believing ones.
Verse 2, "And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort."
LGT "And they that have believing masters, let them not despise [them], because they are brethren: but rather let them serve [them], because they are believing ones and beloved, who are being helped by the good service: these things teach and exhort."
And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them: Paul has taught them that in Christ there is neither bond or free; the slave was not to think that because of this they did not owe the master full work for full pay; Paul is saying the opposite; because they are brothers, the slave is obligated to work as if he were working for the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; and he is! The slave might even be the minister of the assembly they both attend, and this would be even a higher motive to work hard, and not hate his master. Because they are brethren: because they are both joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. But rather let them serve them, because they are believing ones and beloved: let the slave serve them because they belong to the same family, and are both beloved of God. Who are being helped by the good service: because the harder the slave works, the better off the master is; the slave should be happy to see his master prosper, not despise him, and begrudge him. These things teach and exhort: Paul tells Timothy that he should not only teach these grace doctrines, but he should encourage them to live them.
False Teaching and True Wisdom
Verse 3, "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to our wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness."
LGT "If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and agrees not near to sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the teaching according to godliness."
If anyone teaches a different doctrine: other than the doctrine of grace I taught you and the Ephesians. And agrees not near to sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ: the entire gospel of grace is the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, directly while He was on earth, and indirectly through the Apostle Paul. And the teaching according to godliness: the gospel of grace does promote godliness.
Verse 4, "He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmising."
LGT "He is puffed up, knowing nothing, but sick about questions and disputes of words, out of which comes envy, strife, evil speaking, wicked suspicions."
He is puffed up: They desire not to present Christ and Christ crucified, they are more interested in placing themselves in the limelight. These puffed up toads are more interested in gaining a following, the same as the Pharisees, and building a huge congregation than humbly presenting the gospel of grace. We have such a puffed up false teacher in Rick the slick Warren, and his purpose driven Saddleback Church; the one who is teaching false doctrine becomes puffed up like a toad. Knowing nothing: ignorance is the frequent companion of conceit (Robertson). Their ignorance is of the gospel of grace, and they present what they think, instead of what the Word of God teaches; and when they use the Word of God, it comes out in their teaching as something completely foreign to the doctrines of grace. The height of arrogance is when a man has no knowledge and then tries to teach others. This is very often the problem with new converts; they have just gotten saved and they want to teach others. The human ego is a man's worst problem until he learns to keep it in check with the help of the Holy Spirit. But sick about questions and disputes of words: these false teachers are more interested in raising speculative questions about the Word of God than actually teaching contextual exegesis. The reason they have to speculate is they are too lazy to put in serious study, and they allow their minds to wander over ridiculous questions such as, "How many angels can dance on a pin." Out of which comes envy, strife, evil speaking, wicked suspicions: The Word of God is to be taught from God's divine viewpoint, and when it is not, it only brings about confusion, for there is no working of the Holy Spirit when the Word of God is mutilated. Martin Luther, the founder of the Reformation, had it: "He who merely studies the commandments of God (mandata Dei) is not greatly moved. But he who listens to God commanding (Deum mandantem), how can he fail to be terrified by majesty so great?" As Luther's fellow reformer had it: "To know Christ is not to speculate about the mode of His Incarnation, but to know His saving benefits." Writing in the fourth century, The church father Gregory of Nyssa drew a revealing picture of Constantinople in his day: "Constantinople is full of mechanics and slaves, who are all of them profound theologians, preaching in the shops and the streets. If you want a man to change a piece of silver, he informs you wherein the Son differs from the Father; if you ask the price of a loaf, you are told by way of reply that the Son is inferior to the Father; and if you inquire whether the bath is ready, the answer is that the Son is made out of nothing." Subtle argumentation and glib theological statements do not make a Christian. That kind of thing may well be nothing other than a mode of escape from the challenge of Christian living (Barclay)
Verse 5, "Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw."
LGT "Vain argumentations of men corrupted in mind, and destitute of the truth, holding reverential feeling to be gain."
These false teachers believe that having a huge following is being blessed by God; they feel as though building a huge edifice is a sign that God is blessing their work; they have deluded their own minds by their own self-importance, they even go so far as to have a national presidential debate forum from their own Church, nationally Televised, with Pastor Rick Warren as the moderator; now this is separation of Church and State isn't it? What happened was that the Christian community, and I use the term loosely; actually believed Barrack Hussein Obama was a Christian, and they voted this corrupt Muslim into office, and now in 2011 they are regretting they listened and followed that false teacher, Rick the slick Warren. "The false teachers commercialize religion. They are out for profit. They look on their teaching and preaching not as a vocation but as a career. One thing is certain - there is no place for those who seek advancement in the ministry of any church. The Pastorals are quite clear that the laborer deserves to be paid; but the motive for work must be public service and not private gain. The passion of the one who labors for Christ is not to get, but to spend and be spent in the service of Christ and of others (I am not sure about these last two statements; I do not believe they fit into our greedy society; I believe it worked back in the first church, but today it is possible for a man to work and still teach the truth).
Verse 6, "But godliness with contentment is great gain."
LGT "But piety with contentment is great gain."
The false teachers made great financial gain in pretending to be godly distorting the truth for their own gain. This verse means that a true teacher finds his contentment in the actual teaching of the Word of God, that is, that he is a recipient of the divine riches of God's grace, and that is enough for his satisfaction, and he then wants to share these truths with his family, and that is his reward.
Verse 7, "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out."
LGT "For we brought nothing into the world, neither are we able to carry anything out."
Paul uses this proverb to prove that godliness is sufficient in itself, and that we cannot be truly content in worldly gain. The things of this world are only for a season. I am reminded of Job's response to one of his servants, when he brought him news of the disaster, when Satan had taken away his wealth and sons: "Then Job arose and tore his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, and said, Naked came I out of my mothers womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:20, 21). Also we read of the futility of riches in Ecclesiastes 5:9-15: "Moreover, the profit of the earth is for all; the king himself is served by the field. He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he that loveth abundance, with increase; this is also vanity. When goods increase, they are increased who eat them; and what good is there to the owners thereof, except for the beholding of them with their eyes? The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not help him to sleep. There is a great evil, which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof for their hurt. But those riches perish by evil travail; and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand. As he came forth from his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came. And shall take nothing of his labor, which he may carry away in his hand." There is an Old Spanish proverb that states: "There are no pockets in a burial garment." "In order, therefore, that we may be satisfied with a sufficiency, let us learn to have our heart so regulated as to desire nothing but what is necessary for supporting life" (Calvin). I like a little rhyme McGee quotes, and it goes like this:
Do your givin'
While you're livin'.
Then you're knowin'
Where it's goin'.
Verse 8, "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."
LGT "But having sustenance and covering, with these we shall be satisfied."
Paul says that there need not be excess of food or clothing to satisfy him. The luxury in itself is not the sin; the sin is lusting after them. This Proverb come to mind: "Two things have I required of thee; deny them not to me before I die: remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me, lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? Or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of God in vain" (Proverbs 30:8,9). "Contentment comes when we escape the slavery to things, when we find our wealth in the love and fellowship of others, and when we realize that our most precious possession is our friendship [fellowship] with God, made possible through Jesus Christ" (William Barclay).
Verse 9, "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition."
LGT "But those desiring to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and many unwise and hurtful desires, which sink men into destruction and perdition."
But those desiring to be rich fall into temptation and a snare: the snare is that the money will possess the soul of the man who so craves it. It is not money that is the culprit; it is his vain desire to acquire it. It is not a sin to think about money, it is when a person sets a goal in their minds to get gain; then it becomes a snare. And many unwise and hurtful desires: the man who has given himself over to the lust for gold leaves himself prey to the devil. Paul has in mind these ministers that are in the ministry for filthy lucre. Which sink men into destruction and perdition: lust for riches not only ruin life here and now, but also will take a toll on future rewards.
Verse 10, For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced them selves through with many sorrows."
LGT "For a root of all kinds of evils is the love of money; which some stretching after were seduced from the faith, and pierced them selves through with many sorrows."
For the root of all kinds of evils is the love of money: Paul certainly doesn't mean that there are not evils that are not based in greed. Which some stretching after were seduced from the faith: this does not mean that they have lost their salvation, for this is impossible; it means they have wandered away from the faith, as the New English Bible has it. They have lost their perspective on God's divine viewpoint, and are blinded by what the world has to offer through riches. And pierce themselves through with many sorrows: one cannot find true happiness in lust for gold. We belong to a just and holy God, who loves us with the same love He has for His only begotten Son, and we must feel the pain when we wander away from Him in our vain desire for riches. The mortal pain is felt upon reflecting on the past life of casting off doctrine for wealth. What should be the most discouraging of all sorrows is that we are out of fellowship in this condition.
William Barclay lists five dangers in the love of money:
The desire for money tends to be a thirst, which cannot be satisfied. There was a Roman proverbial saying that wealth is like seawater; far from quenching thirst, it intensifies it. The more we get, the more we want.
The desire for wealth is founded on an illusion. It is founded on the desire for security; but wealth cannot buy security. It cannot buy health, not real love, and it cannot preserve from sorrow and from death. The security, which is founded on material things, is doomed to failure.
(2)The desire for money tends to make people selfish. If they are driven by the desire for wealth, it is nothing to them that someone has to lose in order that they may gain. The desire for wealth fixes people's thoughts upon self, and others become merely means or obstacles in the path to their own enrichment. True, that need not happen: but in fact it often does.
(3)Although the desire for wealth is based on the desire for security, it ends in nothing but anxiety. The more people have to keep, the more they have to lose, and the tendency is for them to be obsessed by the risk of loss. There is an old story about a peasant who performed a great service to a king, who rewarded him with a gift of much money. For a time, the man was thrilled; but the day came when he begged the king to take back his gift, for into his life had entered the hitherto unknown worry that he might lose what he had.
(4)The love of money may easily lead people into wrong ways of getting it, and therefore, in the end, into pain and remorse. That is true even physically. They may so drive their bodies in their passion to get riches that they ruin their health. They may discover too late what damage their desire has done to others and be saddled with remorse."
The Good Fight of Faith
Verse 11, "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."
LGT "But thou, O man of God, flee these things: and pursue righteousness, piety, faith, love, patient endurance, meekness."
But thou, O man of God: Paul only uses this term here, and in 2 Tim 3:17; here he uses it in a personal way, and in 2 Tim. 3:17 in a general way (Robertson). Flee these things: Paul is telling Timothy to flee the vain desire for gold and its allurements and all that it produces. Paul begins by calling Timothy man of God in order to encourage him in the privilege he has to teach the gospel of grace to the Ephesian assembly. Paul brings this letter to an end with presenting these tremendous virtues before Timothy. And pursue Righteousness: the word righteousness is knowing what is right with God, and honoring Him, and then interacting with his brothers and sisters in the assembly in this righteous basis; in short, treating his fellow believer as a joint-heir with Jesus Christ. Piety: this is faithfulness in the task God has given. Faith: knowing that God will never give a task without also giving the ability and strength to perform it. Love: this is realizing that all believers are loved by God with the supreme divine love, and that Timothy was to love them based on their relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ. If this is at the forefront of our treatment of other believers, we must realize that all believers are family members, and how we treat family is how we are virtually treating Christ. Patient endurance: this is having complete confidence in God regardless of the trials he must endure, and knowing that all things work together for God's divine purpose, and that Timothy was to relax regarding the complications of his service, knowing that he has been called to this position. Meekness: not puffed up with pride; he was to be humble knowing that God must receive all the glory. Timothy was to be a gentleman with regards to the brethren, but not gentle when it comes to the mistreatment of a family member. One of the outstanding qualities of a meek man is his strength in his stability, that is, he is a man of deep conviction in the Word of God, and will not budge a wit in order to please anyone. He will stand firm in the Word of God, but with the gentleness of a loving brother.
Verse 12, "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."
LGT "Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called, and did confess the good confession before many witnesses."
Fight the good fight of the faith: Paul tells Timothy that the warfare is spiritual, and that his Commander in Chief is with him at all times, and that there are no battles that he cannot win, and the reward will be waiting him in eternity. Lay hold on eternal life: put this thought always in front of you, in order that you will always be aware that the warfare is already won, and that you are already victorious. To lay hold of eternal life is in his mind, that is, always aware that this life is only a battlefield and the battle was won at the cross. To which you were called: and now all that is left is to be a witness to the fact that you are a winner because of Christ, and that eternal life and all its rewards are yours. And did confess the good confession before many witnesses: some commentators say this is when Timothy was baptized and made a confession of his faith before the church at Ephesus. I believe this is a stretch on the context. I believe that Paul is commending Timothy to encourage him by reminding Timothy of his former faithfulness in serving with him. Calvin notes this in agreement: "Thou hast many witnesses of thy confession, both at Ephesus and in other countries, who have beheld thee acting faithfully and sincerely in the profession of the gospel; and therefore, having given such a proof of fidelity, thou canst not, without the greatest shame and disgrace, show thyself to be anything else than a distinguished soldier of Christ."
Verse 13, "I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession."
LGT "I charge you before God, who quickens all things, and Christ Jesus who testified before Pontius Pilate the good confession:"
I charge you before God: this is a very serious responsibility Paul is placing on Timothy. Who quickens all things: God who created all things and gave it live, for the word "quicken" means to make alive. And before Christ Jesus: it is in the name of Jesus that Paul charges Timothy. Who testified before Pontius Pilate the good confession: Christ gave His confession of the Kingdom of God in the presence of Pilate by His silence. It was Christ's confession that He was God that eventually stirred up the Jews to crucify Him. Although Christ was silent before Pilate, His silence spoke volumes. It was the fact that Christ gave His life, it was not taken from Him; and in His giving of His life, and shedding His blood, that Paul tells Timothy to set his mind on this, and that it is God that is the conqueror.
Verse 14, "That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ."
LGT "That thou keep the commandment spotless, unblameable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:"
That thou keep the commandment: all that Paul had charged Timothy with in his overseership of the church at Ephesus. Spotless, unblameable: Paul tells Timothy that his life must be consistent with the gospel of grace that he is teaching if he is to be an effective minister of Jesus Christ. Until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Paul tells Timothy to keep his eyes fixed on the soon appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is applicable to every age; we should live our lives in expectation of Christ appearing. This not only is our hope, but it is also a motivation, that all that happens in this life, will be put into proper perspective when we are at last safe at our real home with Christ. We will much more at ease if we keep this divine viewpoint in our minds as we travel this pilgrimage here on earth.
Verses 15, 16, "Which in his times he shall show, when the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen."
LGT "Which in His own times, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of those being kings, and the Lord of those being lords; who alone has immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable, whom no one of men did see, nor is able to see: to whom honor and might eternal. Amen."
Which in His own time: it is not for us to know when He will manifest Himself. The blessed and only Ruler: this is applied to God the only Ruler over the universe. The King of those being kings: who claims dominion over all the dominions of the earth; the same appellation is applied to the Lord Jesus Christ (Rev. 7:14). And the Lord of those being lords: all the sovereigns of the earth are subject to Him. Who alone has immortality: Christ is the only one who has been raised from the dead in a glorified body. Dwelling in light unapproachable: the dwelling place of God is in the light that human eyes cannot survive. Whom no one of men did see, nor is able to see: that is seeing and survive. To whom honor and might eternal: honor and glory will be an eternal service rendered the eternal Godhead. Amen: so be it. Christians must always remember, "If God be for us, who can stand against us?" (Rom. 8:31).
Verse 17, "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy:"
LGT "To the rich in the present age charge, not to be high-minded, nor to have hope in [the] uncertainty of riches; but in the living God, who gives us richly all things for enjoyment:"
To the rich in the present age charge: charge the rich in every present age in contrast to those who will be rich in the future world. Not to be high-minded in the uncertainty of riches: the uncertainty of riches is that riches never made a man truly happy, for they attain an appetite for more and more, and never find contentment in enough. But in the living God: God is the only One who can deliver true joy and happiness. Who gives us richly all things for enjoyment: God has provided us with His Word, and if we learn the doctrines of grace, we will be able to say with Paul, "I have learned in whatever state I am in, therewith, I find contentment".
William Pringle quotes on the uselessness of trusting in riches:
"It will be useless to say to us, What are the riches of this world? We see that there is no certainty of them. What are honors? They are but smoke. What is even this life? It is but a dream. There is but a turn of the hand, and we become dust and ashes. It will be useless to argue with us on these grounds. All this will serve no purpose, till God has been presented to our minds, till it has been demonstrated to us that we must direct all our affections and confidence to Him alone. And that is the reason why all the fine remonstrance [opposing viewpoints] urged by the philosophers had no effect. For they spoke of the frailty of this earthly life and the uncertain condition of men. They showed that it was vain to think of finding happiness in our possessions, in our lordships, or anything else. They showed that it is delusive to think of having anything here below on which we might vaunt ourselves. Those great philosophers knew nothing about God, yet being convinced by experience, discussed and argued ably on these subjects. But still they did no good, because they did not seek the true remedy, to fix the hearts of men on God, and to inform them. That it is He alone in whom they can find contentment; and till we have come to this, we shall always be involved in many perplexities."
Verse 18, "That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate."
LGT "To do good, to be rich in good works, to be liberal in distributing, ready to communicate:"
In this verse Paul is saying that if a man has this worlds riches, in order not to be high-minded, he should be willing to share in his good fortune by giving to the poor, and ready to help any brother or sister in need, and not simply to build an empire unto himself. He should put all his emphasis on pleasing the Lord, rather than pleasing self.
Verse 19, "Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."
LGT "Treasuring up for themselves a good foundation for the future, in order that they may lay hold of eternal life."
Paul is charging the rich with the spiritual reality that the more they give of their riches to help God's family here on earth, the more treasures they will be laying up in heaven. The term "laying hold of eternal life" means living now in the light of eternity; and they will do this by sharing their wealth with the needy, for then and only then will God be able to use their wealth to spiritual ends. It is far better to lay up treasures in heaven where they will be enjoyed for eternity, than to spend the riches in this fleeting life, where they will be enjoyed for a fleeting breath.
Verse 20, "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so-called:"
LGT "O Timotheus, keep the deposit committed to thee, avoiding profane empty babblings, and oppositions of falsely-named knowledge:"
Keep the deposit committed to thee: these doctrines that I have given you, keep them guarded with a sacred trust, and teach them to the assembly in Ephesus. Paul tells Timothy that these doctrines were not given for his benefit alone, but that he must share them with the family. Avoiding profane empty babblings: Paul tells him not to get into arguments with the philosophers and sophists, for they live their entire lives in speculations. And oppositions of falsely named knowledge: Paul aimed this epistle against the Gnostic heretics that were infiltrating the assemblies, and trying to corrupt the minds of the saints. The Gnostics were teaching doctrines centered on human viewpoint, and it was the opposite of the divine viewpoint. They put anything supernatural down; they would teach only what appealed to the five senses.
Verse 21, "Which some professing have erred concerning faith. Grace be with thee. Amen."
LGT "Which some professing, with reference to the faith have missed the mark. Grace be with thee. Amen
Paul ends this letter to Timothy with this final word that he not spend his time with those fools who want to argue and speculate on what might be; Paul tells Timothy to concentrate on what God has done and will do. Give the assembly grace doctrine and ignore the vain babblings of the pseudo-intellectuals.
Paul signs off with his emphasis on the grace of God.
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