Devotions

The Goal of Our Instruction is Love

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Paul instructs one of his faithful disciples giving him positive encouragement in the prophetic word spoken over his life. Paul also offers guidance for overseers and deacons. And, Paul instructs Timothy to combat the false doctrines that some are “speaking confidently” and there is a key truth here, just because someone is speaking boldly and even with passion, doesn’t mean they are right. Paul himself admits his blasphemy and persecution of the church was done in ignorance and it was the “the glorious gospel of the blessed God” that saved him and set him in the ministry.

1 Timothy Introduction

Paul writes to give positive instruction and guidance for the offices of the church, overseer, deacon, teacher. He also combats “a dangerous heresy which was threatening the welfare of the Christian Church … characterized by speculative intellectualism. It produced questions (1 Timothy 1:4); those involved in it had a craving for questions (1 Timothy 6:4); it dealt in stupid and senseless questions (2 Timothy 2:23); its stupid questions are to be avoided (Titus 3:9). The word used in each case for questions is ekzētēsis, which means speculative discussion … It was characterized by pride. The heretics are proud, although in reality they know nothing (1 Timothy 6:4). There are indications that these intellectuals set themselves on a level above ordinary Christians; in fact, they may well have said that complete salvation was outside the grasp of the ordinary man or woman and open only to them. At times, the Pastoral Epistles stress the word all in a most significant way. The grace of God, which brings salvation, has appeared to all (Titus 2:11). It is God’s will that all should be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4)”.1 

The Goal of our Instruction is Love From a Pure Heart

1 Timothy 1:1–11
When we think about, what Paul calls “the glorious gospel of the blessed God” in 1 Timothy 1:11, we often think of what Paul called the “elementary message about Christ” in

Hebrews 6:1–2 Therefore, leaving behind the elementary message about Christ, let us move on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and faith in God, 2 teaching about baptisms and laying on of hands, and resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.

Certainly, these things are foundational and constructive teachings that we all require as we come into a saving faith in Christ. But Paul also instructs Timothy to teach against the false doctrines where some have “turned away into fruitless discussion” in 1 Timothy 1:6. And, he names the “other doctrine”, myths and genealogies in

1 Timothy 1:4 and not to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause useless speculations rather than God’s plan that is by faith.

Then he also lays out their motivation, in

1 Timothy 1:7 wanting to be teachers of the law, although they do not understand either the things which they are saying or the things concerning which they are speaking confidently.

Jesus had spoken about this in Matthew 23:1-7 and it is these who “love the place of honor” that Paul is warning about here. These are “The Judaizers … (named) in the Epistles to the Galatians and Romans, who made the works of the law necessary to justification in opposition to Gospel grace … (and) The Judaizers here meant corrupted the law with “fables,” which they pretended to found on it … abusing it (the Law) by fabulous and immoral interpretations of, and additions to, it”.2 

Christ Jesus our Lord Considered Me Faithful

1 Timothy 1:12–17
Paul gives us not only the heart of the gospel, but the hope of the gospel for all who recognize their sin. We were all separated from God and even worse, ignorant. But, Christ Jesus came in

1 Timothy 1:15 The saying is trustworthy and worthy of all acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

and Paul says “because of this I was shown mercy” in 1 Timothy 1:15. And not only did Jesus come to save sinners, but he also “considered me faithful, placing me into ministry” in 1 Timothy 1:12. Paul is not saying this to exalt himself, instead it is to recognize the great work that Christ Jesus has delivered to us. And not just to Paul, but as John would say Jesus “made us a kingdom, priests to his God” in

Revelation 1:5–6 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To the one who loves us and released us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father—to him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

 

In Accordance With the Prophecies Spoken Long Ago About You

1 Timothy 1:18–20
Paul reminds Timothy of the things that were spoken about his life. God always shows us things to come. And now Paul is speaking specifically to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1 18 “in accordance with the prophecies spoken long ago about you, in order that by them you may fight the good fight”.

What God speaks to us doesn’t always happen in a day, or a year but that doesn’t mean God has forgotten or that we have foiled God’s plan. As Paul says to Timothy, we must “fight the good fight” of faith because in

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the realization of what is hoped for, the proof of things not seen.

And we know how God operates and that in

Hebrews 11:6 Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and is a rewarder of those who seek him.

So, we must hold fast and have faith in God to perform his word.

That We May Live a Tranquil and Quiet Life

1 Timothy 2:1–8

Continue in Faith and Love and Holiness With Self-Control

1 Timothy 2:9–15

If Anyone Aspires to Supervision, He Desires a Good Work

1 Timothy 3:1–7

Holding the Mystery of the Faith With a Clear Conscience

1 Timothy 3:8–13

Great is the Mystery of Godliness

1 Timothy 3:14–16

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • 1 Timothy 1:1-20
  • 1 Timothy 2:1-15
  • 1 Timothy 3:1-16

References

  • 1. Barclay, W. (2003). The Letters to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon (3rd ed. fully rev. and updated, pp. 5–6). Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press.
  • 2. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 405). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.