1 Timothy Chapter 1

Salutation

1:1 From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

The letter was written by Paul. He introduced himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ sent him to be apostle to the Gentiles. Paul was commanded to become an apostle by God. Paul called Jesus the three titles of God, Savior, and Christ. Jesus is God, expressing His deity. Jesus is Savior, expressing His work. Jesus is Christ, meaning the Jewish Messiah predicted in the Old Testament.

The Greek for "the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus" is κατ’ ἐπιταγὴν Θεοῦ Σωτῆρος ἡμῶν καὶ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ (lat epitagain theou sorarios ham own kai chritou iasou), all in the genitive form, meaning that Jesus carried each of these three titles. The Jehovah Witnesses deny that Jesus is God, but they are denying the grammar of the Greek text. 

1:2 to Timothy, my genuine child in the faith. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord!

The letter was written to Timothy. Timothy was parented by a pagan father and a Jewish mother. His Jewish mother taught Timothy the Scriptures when he was a child. Paul led Timothy to Christ when he was at Lystra. At Lystra, Paul was stoned, but then raised from the dead. This incident may have had quite an impact on Timothy. Timothy traveled with Paul. Many others left and deceived Paul, but not Timothy. He was always a faithful servant and helper to Paul. Therefore, Paul mentored him to become a pastor. Timothy had the privilege of listening to Paul speak often on a daily basis.

The Greek word for "grace" is χάρις (charis), meaning kindness. God showed kindness to all believers by choosing them for salvation before the foundations of the world were created. This is the typical Greek greeting.

The Greek word for "mercy" is ἔλεος (hellos), meaning covenant-loyalty, covenant-love, or compassion. God showed compassion to all believers by rescuing them from the slavery of sin. God even shows mercy to unbelievers by sending them rain and allowing them to proposer even more materially than believers.

The Greek word for "peace" is εἰρήνη (eiraynay), which comes from the Hebrew word שָׁלום (shalom), meaning peace with God. A believer gains peace with God by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. This is the typical Hebrew greeting.

God is the Father of all believers, Jesus is the Christ, meaning that He is the Messiah predicted in the New Testament. Jesus is Lord, meaning He is deity. Not all who call Jesus Lord will enter the Kingdom of God. Many false teachers call Him Lord, but Jesus will say, "I never knew you."

Timothy’s Task in Ephesus

1:3 As I urged you when I was leaving for Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus to instruct certain people not to spread false teachings,

The Greek word for "urged" is παρακαλέω (parakaleow), a judicial term, meaning to call up one to his side personally and give him information that will be accepted in God's courtroom.

Macedonia is the city of Alexander the Great. He hellenized the entire known world into the Greek culture and language so that the New Testament could be read in Koine Greek all through the Roman Empire.

Paul urged Timothy to stay in Ephesus and instruct certain people not to spread false doctrine. Ephesus was a very important coastal city and a capital of the Roman Empire in Asia Minor, which is modern day Turkey. Paul spent three years in Ephesus, so they were one of the more spiritually mature churches of that day. Thirty years later, the Book of Revelation condemns them for losing their first love, which is Christ.

A church is not a church unless it teaches correct doctrine. The correct doctrine is the apostle's doctrine, which is found in the apostle's letters. The gospels record the history of Jesus, but not the doctrines of the church. The Book of Acts records the history of the church, but not the doctrines of the church. Many charismatics and prosperity teachers try to make doctrine out of history, which leads them into doctrinal error. For example, when Peter spoke in tongues at Pentecost and 3000 were saved, Luke was only recording a historical event that happened in the early church. He was nor recording a Biblical doctrine of the modern New Testament Church. Paul taught the doctrine of tongues in 1 Corinthians 13:8. He taught that prophecy and tongues would soon disappear from the church. The Corinthians, to whom Paul wrote this letter actually saw these tongues and prophecies disappear in their own lifetime.

1:4 nor to occupy themselves with myths and interminable genealogies. Such things promote useless speculations rather than God’s redemptive plan that operates by faith.

The rabbi falsely claimed that they had the oral Law of God. At the time of Paul, it was oral and not written down. Later on, it was written down, and it was called the Mishnah. Jesus called the oral law "the traditions of men". He did not accept them as authoritative. He always said, "it is written" to show that only the written law had God's authority. These "myths and interminable genealogies" was the Oral law that the Judaizers were teaching to the Ephesians. Their message was that the Ephesians had to keep the Mosaic Law in order to be saved. They followed Paul from town to town, attempting to lead his new converts into apostasy. Timothy was asked by Paul to remain in Ephesus so that he could deal with these false teachers. 

The mystery religions were also being taught in Ephesus. These mystery religions evolved from the Tower of Babel.  They eventually merged into Christianity and became the Catholic Church.

Philo was an Israelite who spiritualized the Scriptures to make them say what he wanted them to say. For example, he taught that the creation story was a myth. This type of teaching later led to liberalism. 

The gnostics claimed to possess super spiritual knowledge that no one else had. They taught that Jesus was a created angel. This teaching led to church heresies throughout the centuries, eventually leading to the foundations of the Jehovah Witnesses.

Satan moved in quickly with not only persecution, but false teaching. He came after new converts. His attacks began when Paul left the city. This pattern is repeated throughout all of Paul's letters. Warnings are given to the churches in all of these letters. Paul left Timothy in Ephesus to deal with these false teachings.

1:5 But the aim of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.

Paul gave Timothy four goals of good interaction. The Greek word for "love" is ἀγάπη (agape), meaning divine love. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments." His commandments are Bible doctrine. You cannot keep His commandments unless you know them. They are found in all 66 books. Therefore, divine love comes from studying and applying Bible doctrine from all 66 books.

The Greek word for "pure heart" is καθαρᾶς καρδίας (katharas kardias), meaning an old personality that has been cleansed by the Great Physician. This cleansed personality is a result of the new birth. Instruction must come from gifted pastor teachers who have experienced the new birth. The natural man cannot understand the things of God, so he is useless in the pulpit. Baby Christians are not grounded enough in the Scriptures to teach deep instruction because they do not understand the connection of all 66 books.

The Greek word for "conscience" is συνείδησις (suneidaysis), meaning the God-given capacity to know what is right and wrong. Those with a seared conscience cannot discern the differences between good and evil. A believer who rejects the teaching of the Word of God by a gifted pastor teacher will sear his conscience. He will begin to call evil good and good evil. A teacher with a seared conscience will teach human viewpoint from the pulpit.

The Greek word for "faith" is πίστις (pistes), meaning divine persuasion, or a gift from God. A good teacher will divinely persuade others to understand that their belief structure is a gift from God.

The goal of Biblical instruction from the pulpit must contain these four attributes.

1:6 Some have strayed from these and turned away to empty discussion.

The Greek word for "empty discussion" is ματαιολογία (mataialogia), meaning foolish talking, empty chatter, or flowery language. Whenever a pastor-teacher strays from these four attributes, then his teaching becomes nothing but foolishness and flattery.

1:7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or the things they insist on so confidently.

 Those who teach error are confident that they are speaking the truth, but they do not know what they are talking about. 

1:8 But we know that the law is good if someone uses it legitimately,

Paul is now talking about legalism. Legalism is teaching that works must accompany faith in order for a person to be saved. The Mosaic Law was good in that it demonstrated that man was a sinner and needed a Savior. The Law also demonstrated that God was holy and just, with high expectation of morality, and He will judge sin. However, the Law cannot save, because it simply condemns a man to the Lake of Fire forever. The Law is a killer, but Christ brings life.

Good works cannot produce salvation, but salvation can produce good works.

1:9 realizing that law is not intended for a righteous person, but for lawless and rebellious people, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,

The Law was not given for a righteous person. A person can only become righteous by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. The believer in Christ has been delivered from the Mosaic Law, which is a killer. The Mosaic Law was given to the unrighteous person, the person who has rejected Christ. Since the unbeliever has rejected the righteousness of Christ, he must stand before the Law with his own righteousness. However, his own righteousness is dirty menstrual rags to God. God will not allow dirty menstrual rags in His perfect and clean heaven, so the unbeliever will be judged by the Law. If the unbeliever offends the Law in one point, then he is guilty of it all. The penalty for breaking any part of the Law is eternal death by burning in the Lake of Fire forever.

The Greek word for "lawless" is ἄνομος  (anomos), meaning disregard for proper authority, mainly God's authority.

The Greek word for "rebellious" is ἀνυπότακτος (anupotoktos), meaning to be unsubmissive to Christ's lordship.  

The Greek word for "ungodly" is ἀσεβής (assegais), meaning lack of reverence for God. 

The Greek word for "sinners" is ἁμαρτωλός (harmatolos), meaning those who miss God's mark by falling short, because they do not have enough strength to reach the target.

The Greek word for "unholy" is ἀνόσιος (anasios), meaning a disregard for what is sacred or disrespect for the things of God.

The Greek word for "profane" is βέβηλος (bebaylos), meaning people unfit to enter God's presence, because they approach him not by faith.

The Greek word for "mothers" is μητραλῴας (maytraloas), meaning those who murder their mothers.

The Greek word for "fathers" is πατρολῴας (patrloas), meaning those who murder their fathers.

The Greek word for "murderers" is ἀνδροφόνος (androphonos), meaning those who murder other men. 

1:10 sexually immoral people, practicing homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, perjurers – in fact, for any who live contrary to sound teaching.

The Greek word for "sexually immoral" is πόρνος (pornos), meaning a prostitute.

The Greek word for "practicing homosexuals" is ἀρσενοκοίτης (apsenokoitais), meaning a sodomite, a practicing homosexual, or a man who lies in bed with another man. Human viewpoint is tolerant of same-sex marriage. Divine viewpoint calls it as it is a grievous sin.

The Greek word for "kidnappers" is ἀνδραποδιστής (andrapoistias), meaning to kidnap and enslave another person.

The Greek word for "liars" is ψεύστης (pseustis), meaning those who do not tell the truth.

The Greek word for "perjurers" is ἐπίορκος (epipks), meaning those who swear falsely.

The Greek word for "sound teaching" is ὑγιαινούσῃ διδασκαλίᾳ (hugiainousay didaskalia), meaning healthy doctrine that produces a healthy soul.

The Mosaic Law was written for the evil people that Paul provided in the preceding list. Notice that those who do not teach sound doctrine are equal to murderers and homosexuals.

1:11 This accords with the glorious gospel of the blessed God that was entrusted to me.

The Greek word for "accords" is κατὰ (kata), meaning going from a higher plane to a lower plane. Paul was entrusted to the glorious gospel. He was given this commission from heaven. Paul informed Timothy that this commission came down from heaven to earth, with Paul being chosen as the Apostle of the Gentiles.

1:12 I am grateful to the one who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me faithful in putting me into ministry,

The Greek word for "ministry" is διακονία (diakonia), meaning spirit-empowered service guided by faith. This Greek word is the origin of deacon, a servant position of Christ who works inside the local church. Paul is thankful that God has placed him in this work and given him the strength to do it.

1:13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I was treated with mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief,

The Greek word for "blasphemy" is βλάσφημος (blasphaymos), meaning to call what is evil good, and what is good evil. At one time in Paul's life, he was a zealous Pharisee who called Jesus evil and Judaism good. He most likely was at the crucifixion, ridiculing Jesus. He persecuted Christ by persecuting His body, the church. Paul was arrogant, because he was motivated by human viewpoint instead of divine viewpoint. However, God had compassion for him, because Paul was acting ignorantly in unbelief. Every man hates Christ, until he is given a new heart. Paul could not see Christ until God had mercy on him, opened his eyes, and gave him a new heart. 

1:14 and our Lord’s grace was abundant, bringing faith and love in Christ Jesus.

God was kind to Paul. He was so kind that God brought faith and love in Jesus to Paul. Notice that God did the bringing. 

1:15 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them!

Why did the Lord Jesus Christ come into the world? He came to save sinners. He did not come into the world to become the greatest teacher, although He did that. He did not come into the world to set a moral example, although He did that also. 

Paul was the worst sinner in the entire world. He divided the church in Jerusalem and attempted to stamp our Christianity before it even started. He murdered the early saints and would have murdered the apostles, had the Lord Jesus Christ not stopped him on the Damascus Road. Instead of stamping out Christianity, he exploded it by numbers upon the Roman Empire. 

1:16 But here is why I was treated with mercy: so that in me as the worst, Christ Jesus could demonstrate his utmost patience, as an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life.

Paul gives the reason for why he was treated with mercy. God's greatest enemy became His greatest servant. Paul would be an example to all future believers that even the worst enemies of God can become friends of God. This is one of the key messages that Paul will teach in the Book of Romans. The believer is to turn his enemies into his friends.

1:17 Now to the eternal king, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen.

In this doxology, Paul gave a description of Jesus. Jesus is the eternal king, promised in the Old Testament. Jesus is immortal. Jesus is not a created angel. He is the only God. He deserves honor and glory for eternity. All of these descriptions are dative adjectives, meaning that all of these adjectives are linked together in one unbreakable chain. Paul used the Greek dative adjectives to clearly identify Jesus as the eternal God.

1:18 I put this charge before you, Timothy my child, in keeping with the prophecies once spoken about you, in order that with such encouragement you may fight the good fight.

The Greek word for "prophecies" is προφητεία (prophayteia), meaning to tell the future in advance. Paul had received a prophecy from the Lord that Timothy would one day become a pastor who would continue Paul's fight against Satan and his demons in the angelic conflict.

1:19 To do this you must hold firmly to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck in regard to the faith.

Paul gave some advice to Timothy on how to fight the angelic conflict that every mature Christian is involved in. Timothy was to stand firm in the faith. He was to have good conscience. Many pastors had rejected the faith and they suffered a terrible shipwreck. A shipwreck destroys the cargo and drowns all of the men on board. Standing firm in the faith disrupts the battle plans of the invisible demonic army. The demonic army cannot stand against the Word of God.

 1:20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

Notice that Paul gave the exact names of his enemies, something that many modern pastor-teachers refuse to do. Only an apostle has the apostolic authority to commit another person to Satan. The Pope claims this ability. The charismatics claim this ability. However, only the apostles could deliver a man to Satan. Peter used the same apostolic authority with Ananias and Sapphira.