Now Paul gives Timothy advice concerning slavery. "Slaves should respect their masters especially if they are Christians... he who teaches false doctrines is conceited and understands nothing... but godliness with contentment is great gain... if we have food and clothing we will be content with that... people who want to get rich fall into a trap and plunge into ruin and destruction... for the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil... and some people eager for money have wandered from the faith... but you man of God flee from all this... pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness... fight the good fight of faith... keep the commandment until the coming of the Lord... to him be honour and might forever... command the rich not to be arrogant and not put their hope in wealth... but put their hope in God... may the rich do good and be rich in good deeds... be generous and willing to share... and thus you lay up treasure for the coming age... Timothy guard what has been entrusted to you... steer clear of godless chatter... Grace be with you".
Friday, 9 October 2026
1 Timothy 5 (résumé): Advice about widows, elders & slaves
"Do not rebuke an older man harshly", says Paul at the start of chapter 5. "Treat younger men as brothers, younger women as sisters, and older women as mothers... give proper recognition to widows in need... but children and grandchildren should care for their elders... the widow in need puts her hope in God but the one who just lives for pleasure is dead... but if anyone doesn't provide for his family he has denied the faith... but no widow can be put on the list of widows unless she is 60+ and was faithful to her husband, and is known for her good deeds... but don't put young widows on the list so that they don't become idlers, gossips and busybodies... so I advise young widows to remarry... and the church should only help those widows really in need". Then Paul goes on to speak about elders. "Elders are worthy of double honour, especially those preaching and teaching... for Deuteronomy 25:4 warns not to muzzle the ox treading out the corn... the worker deserves his wages... but the one who sins should be rebuked publicly... don't be hasty in the laying on of hands... keep yourself pure... but drink a little wine".
1 Timothy 4 (résumé): Instructions to Timothy
Paul now tells Timothy that "in latter times some will abandon the faith... and follow things taught by demons... these have consciences seared by a hot iron... they forbid people to marry... and order people to abstain from certain foods... but everything God created is good... so teach these things... and have nothing to do with godless myths or old wives' tales... train yourself to be godly... for we have put our hope in the living God who is the Saviour of all men, especially believers... so don't let anyone look down on you... but be an example in everything... and devote yourself to Scripture reading, preaching and teaching... give yourself wholly to them... for then you will save yourself and others".
1 Timothy 3 (résumé): Overseers & Deacons
Paul now defines the qualities necessary in church leadership. An overseer must be the husband of one wife, self-controlled, respectable, able to teach, not given to much wine, non-violent, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his family well and have obedient children, and he must not be a new convert, and he must have a good reputation. Deacons likewise must be sincere, not indulging in much wine, and must have a grip of the deep truths of the faith, and they should go through a period of testing. Their wives should be temperate and trustworthy, and the deacon should only have one wife. The church is God's household and great is the mystery of godliness: "Jesus appeared in a body, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world and taken up to glory".
1 Timothy 2 (résumé): Instructions on Worship
Paul now gives Timothy instructions on worship saying: "Pray for everyone with requests, intercession and thanksgiving... pray for kings and those in authority so that we can live in peace... for God wants all men to be saved... and the one mediator between God and man is Jesus... and I was appointed herald and apostle of the true faith... but women should dress modestly and not with braided hair or gold or pearls... but put on good deeds appropriate to worshipping God... a woman should learn in silence and submission... and a woman can never teach... or have authority over a man... for it wasn't Adam who was deceived but it was Eve... but women will be saved through childbirth if they continue in faith, love and holiness".
1 Timothy 1 (résumé): Warning against false teachers of the Law
Paul now writes a pastoral epistle to his young co-worker and son in the faith Timothy giving him guidance on leading the church at Ephesus around the years 62-65 AD.
Paul starts chapter 1 urging Timothy to remain in Ephesus in order to combat false doctrines... "The goal of this command is love, good conscience and sincere faith... so combat false teachers of the law that don't know what they're talking about... because law is made for lawbreakers... ungodly... killers... adulterers and perverts... slave traders and liars... which are all contrary to the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ... I thank Jesus for appointing me to his service... even though I was a persecutor I was shown mercy... and grace was poured upon me... for Christ came to save sinners of whom I am the worst... so to the King eternal be honour and glory forever, amen... Timothy... fight the good fight... hold on to faith and a good conscience".
2 Thessalonians 3 (résumé): Request for Prayer
Paul finally requests prayer that the message of the gospel may spread rapidly, also asking prayer for deliverance from wicked and evil men, praying that God will guide the Thessalonians' hearts in God's love and perseverance. He then says: "Steer clear of those who are idle and those who don't live in accordance with our teaching... follow our example... we weren't a burden to you.. and always said that if a man will not work, he shall not eat... but we hear that some amongst you are idle busybodies... so we urge these to earn the bread they eat... for you must never tire of doing what is right... so may the Lord of peace give you peace at all times... and may the grace of the Lord be with you".