January 1, 2024
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 1 Timothy? Here’s today’s reading:
1 Timothy 1 (NIV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
2 To Timothy my true son in the faith:
1 Timothy 1
Timothy 1 done.
God loves us so much that he chose Paul as an example of how his amazing grace works. Although he was the worst of sinners, one who killed Jesus followers, the Lord poured out his grace upon him abundantly. In this way, he shows us that ANYONE who believes in him can receive the gift of salvation. So, when we think we are too unworthy to be forgiven for our sin, we can think of Paul and how God used him to show us that YES, we can!
Paul addresses Timothy to stay in Ephesus to address those that are more concerned about their own interests than doing the work of Christ. Their discussions are endless and irrelevant. Worthless words only to sidetrack from what is important. Theological arguments are driven by pride. Might seem harmless at first But they always pull us away from looking vertical. You want to get into a discussion about how little I know. Not interested!! I’m a sinner. And I so need a savior.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
It is interesting that God called Paul to be a minister to the Gentiles, when he was such a faithful Jew, legalistically speaking. The more I read his epistles and how he was persecuted and passionate for the gospel, the more I see the clarity of God’s purpose in choosing him.
Here he says, “for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ, might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” Paul is the “perfect” pattern, for even in his legalism, he sinned greatly, “a blaphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious” and if Jesus can forgive and use Paul, He can forgive and use anyone.
1 Timothy 1 this was a letter of encouragement to Timothy who Paul had requested Timothy to stay in Ephesus to bring them back to the truth, they were back to teaching the law while not knowing what they are talking about. Paul says the law is good when used properly. The law should be used to
show sinners their sins and bring them to God. Jesus came into the world to save sinners and there is none beyond saving.
1 Timothy 1
Paul was writing this letter to Timoty who he left in Ephesus. As we know Paul was chosen to be an Apostle by Christ Jesus. Timothy was the son of a Greek man and his mother was a Christian Jewess [Eunice] and his grandmother [ Lois] was also a Christan. 2 Timothy 1;5 mentions the fact that Lois came to Christ first. Also in 2 Timothy 3;15 it reads that Timothy knew the scriptures since childhood. It doesn`t say when he became a Christian or how but we do know that these two godly women had alot to with it. Be encouraged grandmothers and mothers for you have perhaps more influence than you realize. Paul took notice of Timothy for he was spoken well of by the other believers that were at Lystra and Iconium. So Paul took Timothy with him to preach the gospel. Now at this writing Paul was encouraging Timothy to stand up to and correct the false teaching in Ephesus until he could come himself. Paul trusted Timothy with the care of this as a spiritual son of his. In the letter which he expected to be read to the church he calls out by name two of these false teachers. They were Hymeneus and Alexander who Paul delivered to Satan. That`s how important it is to teach correct and sound doctrine. Hymeneus was a professed Christian who had fallen into heresies, who tried to shipwreck the faith of true believers and who was excommunicated by Paul. 1 Tim 1;20 and 2 Tim 2;17. And Alexander a convert to Christianity who became an apostate. 1 Tim 1;20 and perhaps the coppersmith who opposed Paul 2 Tim 4;14. There are a few Alexanders mentioned in the Bible but these two stated here could be this one. At any rate I wouldn`t want to be remembered like that as someone who went against the true teachings of Christ Jesus. Let`s all examine ourselves and be sure we know the word of God. Not adding to or taken away scriptures for God says that person will be cursed. Thank God for our Pastor that he desires to teach the word of God correctly and guided by the Holy Spirit with much prayer. May we all with prayer as we open the word of God also get the guidance of the Holy Spirit. For the word of God is spiritually discerned. God bless our church [ believers] and may we also pray for our leaders.
My reference was [ All the Men of the Bible] by Lockyer.
Paul leaves Timothy in Ephesus in order to address false teachers that were leading people astray, and yet Paul’s goal in commanding Timothy to do so is love. It is consistent with love to correct people and yet we should also be loving in our approach to them. These false teachers were misusing the law and focusing on aspects of it that was more about their secret knowledge than right living. Although the law is good in the standards it sets, we are all in need of grace when we defy it. No one knew that better than Paul who clearly saw the grace of God in his life and his call to the ministry. He would hope that people would recognize that if he could receive the grace of God in salvation than anyone could. Timothy needed that grace as well to perform the task before him and his role in Ephesus is consistent with God’s revelation about Him. May we all fight the good fight in sharing the good news of Jesus and correcting those who say they are promoting Him, but they are actually not. Paul calls 2 of these individuals out by name so Timothy could clearly understand who he was talking about, going so far as to hand them over to satan so they would recognize how far from God they were in saying and teaching what they were.
Paul is such a great example of God’s grace! His work can be accomplished through anyone no matter how far away from God you have strayed He is always there with His love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness!