TIMOTHY
CHAPTER 1
Exhortation to teach true doctrine only—Christ came to save repentant sinners.
1 PAUL, an apostle [ "apostolov" literally signifies a person sent from one to another, without implying any particular dignity in the person, or importance in the message. But it is differently used in the New Testament, being applied to those who were sent expressly from God Almighty, with the message of salvation to mankind. It is, therefore, the highest character any human being can have; and he message is the most important which even God himself can send to his intelligent creatures. It was by the express command of God that St. Paul went to the Gentiles preaching the doctrine of salvation by faith in Christ Jesus. ] of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: [ "pistiv" - Faith, those who have and exercise their faith in Christ. ] : [ according to this Jewish maxim: bwtkh wyl[ hl[m hrykt zk wrly wlak rmlmh lk He who teaches the law to his neighbour's son is considered by the Scripture as if he had begotten him; Sanhedrin, fol. xix. 2. And they quote Num. iii. 1, as proving it: These are the generations of Aaron and Moses-and these are the names of the sons of Aaron. "Aaron," say they, "begot them, but Moses instructed them; therefore they are called by his name." ] Grace, [ the unmerited divine assistance given to use from God for our sanctification. ] , mercy, [ the extention of grace to individuals, the pardoning of sin and the purification of their souls. compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power. ] , and peace, [the result of grace and mercies extended which includes: peace of conscience, and peace with God; producing internal happiness, quietness, and assurance. ] , from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
3 As I besought thee [ Or the purpose or reason why Paul leaves Timothy at Ephesus. Paul had seen that a bad seed had been sown in the Church; and, as such he needed to go then into Macedonia, he asked Timothy, to stay behind and prevent the spreading of a doctrine that would have been pernicious to the people's souls. It is supposed that this epistle was written after Paul had been delivered from his first imprisonment at Rome, about the end of the year 64, or the beginning of 65. When, therefore, the apostle came from Rome into Asia, he no doubt visited Ephesus, where, ten years before, he had planted a Christian Church, and, as he had not time to tarry then, he left Timothy to correct abuses. ] to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, [ Those who are most likely members of the church who have taken it upon themselves to be the teachers and are then teaching the doctrines that they want to teach, not necessarily those of God. ] ,
4 Neither give heed to fables [ idles fancies, things of no real value, silly legends, and un approved doctrines and opinions. ] and endless genealogies, [ possibly "kevologiaiv" was there originally which would mean - empty words, vain speeches ] , which minister questions, [ Is it wrong to question? No it is a good thing. However when we continue to question and question; when we are given an answer that should be sufficient. When we harp on the same question demanding a different answer then we start to dwell on unsafe ground. Or was paul saying here that there are endless questions that can be brought up, including the genealogy of Christ that he cannot be the Messiah because he is not of the right genealogy. ] , rather than godly edifying which is in faith: [ Here is the punch line from Paul. Either way questioning endlessly is not as good as doing those things which edify Christ, and is a sign of faith. ] so do.
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity [ In the end you should be looking to be examples of charity which is the pure love of Christ. see 1 Corinthians 13:1–13. True power from God is safeguarded by one attribute alone and that is charity. This is one of the foremost attribues of Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ. So when we talk about charity hat God is saying is in order to wield my power I need to know that you have an eye single to the glory of God - the immortality and eternal life of man. ] out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
6 From which some having swerved [ in otherwords as some have missed the mark. ] have turned aside unto vain jangling;
[ The original term, "mataiologian", signifies empty or vain talking; discourses that turn to no profit; a great many words and little sense; and that sense not worth the pains of hearing. As opposed to learning some real truth. ]
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; [ Are they seeking to be esteemed or celebrated as rabbins; look at what I know. Is that why they are teaching? To be reputed cunning in solving knotty questions and enigmas, which answered no end to true religion. ] ; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. [ Or the kind of teacher that is teaching to impress others is usually not teaching with the spirit. As a result be careful in what they do teach because it is probably not right. We are cautioned here to be careful of our motives, they should not be "the greater my learning the greater I will look to the people" An example might be I from the Jerusalem Targum, on Gen. 1:15: And God made two great lights, and they were equal in splendour twenty-one years, the six hundred and seventy-second part of an hour excepted: and afterwards the moon brought a false accusation against the sun, and therefore she was lessened; and God made the sun the greater light to superintend the day. ] .
8 But we know that the law is good, [ Because the law of which he speaks is Gods law. Or the goals of the law are designed to change your character for the better. ] if a man use it lawfully; [ Or if a man uses it with the design and purpose with which God intended the law. ]
9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for [ "ou keitai", Or it does not LIE against a righteous man. The word keitai, or lies, refers to the custom of writing laws on boards, and hanging them up in public places within reach of every man, that they might be read by all; thus all would see against whom the law lay. There is a moral law as well as a ceremonial law: as the object of the latter is to lead us to Christ; the object of the former is to restrain crimes, and inflict punishment on those that commit them. It was, therefore, not made for the righteous as a restrainer of crimes, and an inflicter of punishments; for the righteous avoid sin, and by living to the glory of God expose not themselves to its censures. This seems to be the mind of the apostle. ] a righteous man, but for the lawless [ Those who do not acknowledge the law or purpose to be bound by it, they are without rule. Do the righteous really need the 10 commandments, no it is part of their character, but on the other hand some need to have every part spelled out to them. The unwise have to be commanded in all things. ] and disobedient, [ "anupotaktoiv?" Those who acknowledge no authority or law. ] , for the ungodly [ "asebesi?" The irreligious - those who do not worship God, or have no true worship. ] and for sinners, [ "amaptwloiv" those who transgress the laws. ] , for unholy [ "anosioiv?" Persons totally polluted - unclean within, and unclean without. ] and profane, [ Bebhloiv? Such who are so unholy and abominable as not to be fit to attend any public worship. Our word profane comes from procul a fano, "far from the temple." When the ancients, even heathens, were about to perform some very sacred rites, they were accustomed to command the irreligious to keep at a distance. If you look up the entomology of the word "profane", you’re gonna find that the word comes from the Latin word "pro", which means "before or outside". And the Latin word "phantom", which means "temple". And when you put pro and phantom together, you get the Latin word "profanus", from which our English word profane is derived, which literally means "outside the temple". The word profane literally means one who is not sacred, one who is not allowed to enter sacred temple space. ] , for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, [ Grace. ] , for that he counted me faithful, [ Paul suggests tha he cannot belive that God would let him be an apostle to teach others. Notice the next verse spells out why he is so grateful. ] putting me into the ministry;
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: [ He persecuted the saints, killed and punished a great many. I am sure in Paul's eyes he felt that he was so grateful that God would forgive him of that to the point that he called him to be an apostle. ] but I obtained mercy, because I did it [ Persecuted the saints, and blasphemed. This is who I was, but God saw my potential. I did not deserve all of the blessings that God has given me while I was surely not worthy of it. ] ignorantly in unbelief.
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
[ Paul acknowledges that he is grateful to God and suggests that he was among the worst of the bunch. ]
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, [ Or let me explain to you why God extended such mercy to me. ] that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
[ God took pity on me to prove his long-suffering. Or if God could put up with me and the things that I have done then he could do it with any one, because remember I was among the worst that there were. Or if he can take the worst that there was and change him what can he do with you? ]
17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, [ The prophetic or patriarchal blessings so to speak that were given to Timothy. ] that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
[ This is the pep talk Paul is giving Timothy - suggesting that you were prepared for this, you were in a part member family and know of those struggles that you might understand and help others. There are thing s that have happened in your life to prepare you for this so stand tall, it is your time, God has lead you here now. ]