1Timothy chapter 6

 

Memory verse: 1Timothy 6:6

 

1 and 2 Timothy and Titus are called pastoral epistles because they are written to pastors. They are mostly instructions on how to lead the church, and qualifications for other leaders. Timothy was the pastor of the church in Ephesus (1Timothy 1:3). Paul already had a mentoral relationship with him (Acts 16:1, Acts 17:14-15, Acts 18:5, Acts 19:22, Acts 20:4). He is also mentioned in several places in Paul’s other epistles. Paul sent him to Corinth (1Corinthians 4:7), and Thessalonica (1Thessalonians 3:2-6).

 

Day 1 – the doctrine which is according to godliness

Verses 1-5

Unbelievers like to find alleged fault with the Bible by saying it condones slavery. While servitude is not totally banned in the Bible, what we normally consider slavery, and especially the abuse associated with it, is not what the Bible is talking about. It is more akin to indentured servitude, and had regulations on it which the world did not have (Exodus 12:44, Exodus 21:2 & 20-21, Leviticus 25:25-55, Deuteronomy 15:18, Deuteronomy 23:15-16, Deuteronomy 24:14, Ephesians 6:9, Colossians 4:1). The Bible did not invent slavery, and had more to do with its abolishment in the western world than any other influence. Nations where the Bible is not embraced still have slavery.

What we teach should always have the goal of promoting godliness. Teaching that is about causing empty arguments comes from pride and greed (Proverbs 13:10). We are to withdraw ourselves from such people. Every doctrine has a spirit (1John 4:1-3). We are to test them and see what they are about. You shall know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:13-29).

 

Day 2 – godliness with contentment is great gain

Verses 6-10

The only true source of contentment is our relationship with God. If the other things we enjoy flow from that, we can be truly happy, even if all we have is food and clothes (Matthew 6:19-33). That is the original context of the often quoted, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Philippians 4:11-13).” It means we can find contentment no matter what our status is materially. They that covet riches are setting themselves up for spiritual misery. They are actually torturing their own souls. Money is not the root of evil, it is the love of it. We can prosper financially if we can handle it right and keep our priorities (3John 2). God can’t give some people financial blessings because they cannot handle them spiritually or financially (Luke 16:10). We can’t take it with us anyway. He who dies with the most toys probably won’t make to heaven (Mark 10:23). Gambling is a violation of this passage, and many others.

 

Day 3 – fight the good fight of faith

Verses 11-14

We are to flee from greed, and instead pursue spiritual virtues. The Greek word for fight here is the same one used to describe the Olympics. In Hebrews 12:1, it is the word race. The battle of faith is a public contest played out before God, the angels, the devils, and men. The word spectacle in 1Corinthians 4:9 is theater. The word race in 1Corinthians 9:24 is stadium. The contestants in the battle of faith must work, train, and discipline themselves in order to win (1Corinthians 9:24-27). Just as an athlete only gets stronger and better through training and practice, a soldier of faith must also focus on the prize, and develop himself spiritually (2Timothy 2:3-5 – to strive is to compete in athletic games). The best way to be a good witness is to keep the commandments.

 

Day 4 – in His times He shall shew

Verses 15-16

In His times (a fixed, definite, right time period), The Lord Jesus will show who He really is. When He came the first time, He was clothed in the earthly appearance of man, and limited Himself (Philippians 2:5-11). John leaned on him at the last supper (John 21:20). When He saw Him fully revealed, he fell at His feet as dead (Revelation 1:17). When He returns, He will come in His full power as the only Potentate. This is the Greek word we get the word dynasty from. He is and always was the supreme authority over all other authority. He alone has immortality. There is no other source. Scientists can’t make it in a laboratory. He is the invisible God who made Himself visible in the flesh (John 1:1-3 & 14 & 18, John 14:7-11, John 15:24, 2Corinthians 4:4, Colossians 1:15, 1Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 1:3). He dwells in the light no man can approach (Exodus 33:20-23).

 

Day 5 – laying up in store

Verses 17-21

Those that have earthly possessions are not to trust in them. They can make wings and fly away (Proverbs 23:5). That was written by one of the richest men who ever lived. The rich need to remember that it all belongs to God, and He lets us enjoy it (Psalm 50:7-13, 1Chronicles 29). The best way they can do this is by giving. Not only are they demonstrating to God that they trust Him, and not slaves to their money, and desire to bless others, They are actually putting their money in the safest place they can – in their heavenly account (Matthew 6:19-21).

Once again, Paul warns Timothy to avoid ungodly, empty, and useless arguments. Here he also adds oppositions of science falsely so called. The word oppositions is literally the Greek word antithesis. False science is the antithesis of truth. Today’s greatest example of this is evolution. It is not only incompatible with faith and the Bible, it is the antithesis – the exact opposite thesis. Many evolutionist scientists openly admit that they used to believe in God, but had to give up faith to embrace evolution, and are now atheists. Evolution is not science. It is an ancient pagan belief which is the direct enemy of faith in God, and particularly the Bible. There is not one scientific fact supporting evolution, and it contradicts several scientific laws such as biogenesis, entropy, information, probability, irreducible complexity, and genetics. Evolution has not been observed, and cannot be tested and repeated. Therefore it cannot be subject to the scientific method. It defies many things which have been observed such as the “Cambrian” explosion, polystrate fossils, red shift, the immaterial, dating methods, folded sediment layers, Mt. St. Helens, and cosmic background radiation. It offers no explanation of the origin of life, matter, and energy. These things are explained by the Bible.