I Timothy 6--False Teachers, Money, Pursuing God

Let bondservants as are under the yoke could their own masters as worthy of honor so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed.

I think this could apply to an employee. Each employee should give honor to their employer so that God is not blasphemed. Blasphemed is a pretty strong word, but a reminder of how important it is for us to show honor to those who are in authority over us.

Characteristics of False teachers
1. Teach otherwise--different doctrine
2. Do not consent to wholesome words
3. Reject doctrine which accords with godliness.
4. Are proud
5. Know nothing
6. Obsessed with disputes and arguments over words
7. Envy
8. Strife
9. reviling
10. evil suspicions
11. useless wranglings of men
12. of corrupt minds
13. destitute of the truth
14. use "godliness" as a means of gain. (Pretend to be godly to get what they want.)

WITHDRAW from such men!

Godliness with contentment is great gain.
Be content with what the Lord has provided. With your food, clothing, etc. We in America are so blessed and so rich! It is so foolish for us to be ungrateful and discontent with what the Lord has provided.

If you desire to be rich, be careful for you may fall into temptation and snares and into many harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some have strayed from faith in greediness and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
This isn't saying that they've lost their faith. Just wandered to pursue greed and money and with it many sorrows. It's so much better to pursue the Lord!

Flee greed and pursue:
1. righteousness
2. godliness
3. faith
4. love
5 patience
6. gentleness

Command those who are rich not to be haughty not to trust in riches, but in the living God.
Let them do good. Be rich in good works, ready to give and willing to share.

Again we in America should not trust in our riches (houses, money, stocks, etc), but in God. He is our true provider and sustainer! Help us, dear Lord, to be rich in good works!

Avoid profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge.
I'm reminded of the quote by Socrates--"One thing only I know, and that is that I know nothing. " The more I learn, the more ignorant I learn that I am. Lord, I need to know what you say is true. And help me to discern true from false.

I Timothy 5--Rebukes, Elders

Do not rebuke
--an older man, but exhort as a father.
--a younger man, but exhort as a brother
--older woman, but as a mother
--younger woman, but as a sister.

I think the main thing here is to be kind. It's so easy to use our words harshly. But when we do need to correct, it should be done with prayer and kindness as if it was someone we love.


Elders counted worthy of double honor. Accusations should be by 2-3 witnesses. If they are sinning, rebuke in front of all.

YIKES! That's kind of scary! To be rebuked in front of everyone. But they are examples and I could see that if a few people saw someone in a high profile position sinning that they may try to justify sinning themselves. And then it could spread throughout the body. Lord, I thank you so much for men of God that you have put in the position of elder of their church body. Lead and guide them and help them to have wisdom that comes from you alone!

In choosing elders be patient, fair, impartial and pure!

I pray that our church would listen to this passage as they seek elders. Lord, help those making the decision to be patient, fair, impartial and pure.

I Timothy 4--Falling Away, Exercising Faith

In latter times, some will depart from faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, conscience seared, forbidden to marry, commanding to abstain from certain foods.

Depart from the faith doesn't mean that they will be saved and then unsaved. Just that some professing to be believers will leave true faith. They will be deceived and give heed to false doctrines. They will speak lies and be hypocrites. Their consciences will be seared. Their hearts will not be able to be pricked and stirred to repentance over their sins 'cause they won't care that they are sinning. And they will have external legalistic rules that will take precedence over what truly matters. It's sad to me that we are not far from this scenario in these days. But our hope lies in that He's coming soon!

Exercise yourself toward godliness.
Exercise is work! Actually, I hate exercise. It's just no fun. But it is necessary in order to be strong and not flabby. In the same way, if we are to be spiritually strong and fit, we must exercise ourselves towards godliness. This is daily living--making the right choices to glorify God instead of self, being disciplined to study the Word and pray, to do good deeds and bear good fruit, and to love even when we don't feel like it.

Let no one despise your youth but be an example in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Timothy was in his 30's when given this admonition. I guess that means I'm still youthful. :-)
But the call is to be an example in everything we say, do, think and feel. Much harder to do than to say. Oh, I pray I will continue to grow in this area!

Give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

I'm of the opinion that much of what's wrong in the church at large is that we don't follow this command. Most of the church doesn't read the Bible and therefore does not know what it says or how to apply it to their lives. They are simply blindly following eloquent leaders who are leading them down dangerous paths.

Do not neglect the gift that is in you.
I'm not sure what my gifts are. I've been told hospitality and exhortation and prophecy. If so, then may it all be done for the glory of the Lord. May I be found faithfully serving you, Lord Jesus, when you return!

I Timothy 3--Qualifications of Elders and Deacons

If a man desires the position of Bishop, he desires a good work.

Characteristics of Elders
1. blameless
2. husband of one wife
3. temperate
4. sober minded
5. of good behavior
6. hospitable
7. able to teach
8. not given to wine
9. not quarrelsome
10. not covetous
11. rules his own house well
12. having children in submission with all reverence
13. not a novice (new believer)
14. have a good testimony among those outside

Characteristics of Deacons
1. reverent
2. not double tongued
3. not given to much wine
4. not greedy for money
5. holding mystery of faith with pure conscience
6. blameless
7. Wives reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things
8. husbands of one wife
9. rule children and houses well

I Timothy 2--Salvation for all men? Women in the Church

Exhort that supplications, prayers and intercessions be made for all {kinds of} men: kings, all in authority. For this is good and acceptable in sight of God, our Savior who desires all {kinds of}men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of truth.

Here is another verse that is used by some to say that all men can be saved.
I looked up two popular teachers from the reformed view and here is what they had to say:
John McArthur--God's desires are not the same as God's sovereign plan.
James White--From the context of the surrounding verses, the text reads that God desires all (kinds of) men to be saved.

I think I like White's reasoning better. It seems weird to think of God wanting something that He doesn't do. But I could be wrong. I just logically like Dr. White's explanation better.

I desire that men pray everywhere lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting. McArthur says the word "doubting" could be better translated as dissention. That makes sense that we should take care of all anger, sin, and any other thing that could cause disunity before coming before a holy God.

Women adorn modest apparel with propriety and moderations, not with braided hair or gold pearls or costly clothing.

What does our dress say about us? What distractions are we creating for those around us who are trying to worship God?

Let women learn in silence with all submission. Not leaders in the church.
Do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man.

I take this literally and believe that it is saying that women should not teach men in the church. The reason as given in the scripture is because women are more susceptible to deceit. This goes all way back to garden. Therefore I think we have to say that it is still applicable today.

Saved (from reproach) in childbearing when she continues in faith, love and holiness with self-control.

A woman is not saved from hell by bearing children. But is was a woman who led mankind into sin, and Christian women have an opportunity to lead many out of sin to godliness through the joy of raising godly children.

I pray that the Lord will continue to give me wisdom, love, patience and everything else I need to raise these 4 blessings that He's entrusted to my sweetie and I.

I Timothy 1--Using the Law, Why Jesus came

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 the SINNER, for the UNHOLY and PROFANE, for MURDERERS of fathers and mothers, for MANSLAYERS, FORNICATORS, SODOMITES, KIDNAPPERS, LIARS, PERJURERS, and any other thing that is contrary to false doctrine.

This reminds me a lot of the Way of the Master teachings...again Law to the Proud (self-righteous) and Grace to the Humble. The law should be used to expose those who are in sin. When they humble themselves and recognize that they are guilty before a holy God, then we present them with the gift of God through Christ Jesus. If they continue to justify their sin and would rather be gratified by the flesh, then they are not ready to hear the Good News that through the blood of Jesus they can be redeemed.


This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to seek and save sinners.

This was the Primary Purpose of Jesus coming. Here's a question I've been asking myself:

If Christ's primary purpose was to seek and save sinners, shouldn't that also be ours as his disciples (students)?

I just really like this verse:

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible to the God who alone is wise , be HONOR and GLORY forever and ever! AMEN!

(AND AMEN!)