1 Timothy 1 – 3
Verses 1:3 – 4 open with a warning against false teachers:
3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.
This has become such an issue over the years that it’s difficult to clear through the clutter. Often times we get into the minutia of the Word and lose the overall meaning. For example we often get lost in the Law and forget the grace of Jesus. I find it interesting that “stewardship” in these verses is used as what we should be doing.
Again this is another one of those “fine lines” where you can go in wrong directions. I have been to churches where people have broken out in tongues and been very uncomfortable. While I have been to others where this has happened and felt fine. Jesus said we are to do greater than he, now was that just to the disciples or the body of believers? Either way there is nothing that says speaking in tongues is wrong, I just think the emphasis on some churches often force a disingenuous response.
Verse 1:9 captured my interest:
understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers,
So often we think we are forced to obey the Law as Christians, when in reality we just do it without much thought. No the Law is here to convict the world; Jesus is here to save it. Without the law there would be no distinction between God’s people and the unholy. The Law actually provides us guidelines to live within, where it gives others conviction.
Verse 2:1 is a very important key to prayer:
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
Often we get wrapped up in our own personal needs and desires, which cause us to rarely break out of that in prayer. When we do we get to family and close friends, only to end it there. Paul is reminding us to pray for everyone, not just your close inner circle. This becomes a difficult task since we tend to lose focus and desire outside this group.
Think about the recent election, no matter which side you voted, did you pray the eventual winner would prevail and succeed? I wonder if this is a “missing ingredient” in much of our prayer life. I know it often is in mine; I focus on me, my family and close friends only. Try a shift for a week and instead of praying from you out, reverse it and pray for everyone else and move in.
Chapter 3 focuses on the qualifications of “overseers” and “deacons”. I know these are terms which are rarely used in many of the “modern” churches, but the “qualifications” should be applied to any in the role of leadership and trust. I find it interesting how both mention one wife. Did this mean no divorce or no “bigamy”?
Verse 3:15 has a charge to behave:
if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth
Funny how we all seem to have that ingrained knowledge of what is right and wrong. I think everyone has this on their hearts, Jesus just exposes it. So go today and enjoy church, sing a joyous noise and praise the only uncreated God!!