1 Timothy chapter 1
1:1 God is described as our Savior because He is the author of man's salvation. Jesus is called our hope since He is
the object and embodiment of our expectation.
1:2 My own son (or "genuine child"): Paul acknowledges Timothy to be a real believer, in contrast to some whose
Christian claims are spurious.
1:3, 4 We may read verses 3b and 4a as follows: "That you might command certain people not to teach other
doctrines, nor to give heed to myths and endless genealogies." Timothy is to put and end to the teaching of false
doctrines. Which minister questions, rather than godly edifying (i.e., they promote useless speculations rather than
God's work): Attention given to the circulating false doctrines, fables and...genealogies, does not assist believers in
carrying out responsibilities divinely entrusted to them, but gives rise to idle queries.
1:5 This verse could be translated as follows: "But the goal of this command is love from a pure heart, from a clear
conscience, and from genuine faith> The "goal" of Timothy's "command" of forbidding false teaching (verses 3, 4) is
not all negative; its positive aim is to bring about true love in Christians. Note the spiritual evolution here: "genuine
faith" in Christ produces "a clear conscience," that is, one cleared of offense before God by Jesus' atonement. This
in turn leads to "a pure heart," that is, a life free of sin; and this brings about "love" for God and others.
1:6 From which refers to verse 5's "pure heart," "clear conscience," and "faith unfeigned." Because heretics have
swerved (deviated from these practical virtues of daily living, they have turned aside unto vain jangling (fruitless
discussion). Such talk is profitless because it detracts from spiritual progress.
1:9, 10 The law is not made for a righteous man (or, "The law is not valid for a righteous person") implies that the
heretics of verses 6 and 7 are misusing the law, trying to impose it on the Christian. Properly used, the law benefits
unbelievers in pointing out their sin (Romans 7:7-9) and leading them to Christ (Galatians 3:24). The lawless are
criminals. The disobedient are the rebellious. The ungodly are the godless, that is, showing no reverence for God.
Sinners are those failing to measure up to divine standards. The unholy are impure. Profane means defiling sacred
things. Whoremongers are fornicators. Them that defile themselves with mankind are homosexuals. Menstealers are
kidnappers. Sound doctrine (lit., "healthy teaching"): The Bible properly taught is a sort of spiritual medicine that
heals man's distressed moral nature, making him spiritually and ethically sound and healthy.
1:11 The glorious gospel of the blessed God means the gospel about the character of the blessed God. The law
reveals man's sinful character (verses 9, 10), but the gospel discloses God's salvation from sin and from the law's
curse. The blessed God: All blessings and happiness are in God, and He bestows them upon embracing His gospel.
1:12 Christ provided all the enablement required, so that Paul could fulfill his apostolic duties.
1:13 Injurious means violent.
1:14 Grace...was exceeding abundant (or, "grace...was more abundant"): Christ's undeserved favor far outweighed
Paul's previous sinful life. With faith and love: God's grace brought about faith in Paul, in contrast to his for former
"unbelief" and it also produced love in him, in contrast to his previous blasphemy, persecution, and violence to the
church (verse 13). Which refers to faith: Paul's faith or trust is in Christ Jesus.
1:15 Chief denotes rank or degree. Paul views himself as the foremost of sinners; of whom I am chief (the worst).
1:16 We could read the verse thus: "But I obtained mercy for this reason: that in my case as the worst [sinner] Christ
Jesus might demonstrate the fullest of patience, as an example for those about to believe on him for eternal life."
Paul's conversion encourages other sinners; since Christ has already saved the worst sinner, He can save those
less sinful.
1:18 This charge (or, "this command"): This refers to the command to forbid the teaching of false doctrine (verse 3).
The prophecies which went before on thee (or, "the prophecies that pointed to you"): These were divine revelations
given through New Testament prophets, which pointed out to Paul that Timothy was to be his coworker.
1:19 Faith is used in two different ways in this verse. The first "faith" is subjective, referring to Timothy's own
personal trust or faith in God; holding faith means that he is to maintain his confidence in God. The second "faith" is
objective, referring to the bod of revealed truth believed by the church, that is, " the faith which was once delivered
unto the saints" (Jude 3). The last half of verse 19 may be translated: "which [a good conscience] some, having
repudiated, have become shipwrecked concerning the faith." Because some rejected their inner moral voice of
conscience, they have strayed far from the truth of God into theological heresy. Often religious error has its roots in
moral rather than intellectual causes.
1:20 I have delivered unto satan may signify (1) that the two heretics mentioned were excommunicated from the
church, (2) the supernatural infliction of corporeal suffering, or (3) both.
1 Timothy chapter 2
2:1 First of all (or, "most important of all"): Prayer is to hold the preeminent place in church meetings. Four different
types of prayer are mentioned here: (1) supplications are precise requests for specific needs; (2) prayers is a
general word embracing various kinds of prayer--confession, adoration, and so on; (3) intercessions denote prayers
to God on behalf of others; (4) giving of thanks refers to prayers of praise.
2:2, 3 There are three reasons why the prayers of verse 1 are to offered "for all men": (1) that Christians may enjoy
a tranquil life (verse 2); (2) such praying is good and acceptable to God (verse 3); (3) such prayers help bring about
the salvation of men (verse 4).
2:2 A quiet and peaceable life: The word quiet means "not troubled from without"; that is, intercessory prayer
enables good government to ensure that its citizens are not troubled by enemies or forces outside its borders.
"Peaceable" means not troubled from within"; that is, the church's prayer also aids competent government in
maintaining law and order within its own borders. The translation godliness and honesty is unfortunate, for the
exercise of these virtues is not dependent upon good government; they can be cultivated even in poor political
management and persecution. The text should read, "That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life with the utmost
reverence and respect." This respect is for governmental authority. Respect can best be realized when rulers are
competent and rightly discharging their duties. Otherwise, it is difficult to respect rulers when they are incompetent
and unjust.
2:5-7 These verses provide a threefold evidence confirming the assertion in verse 4 that God "will have all men to be
saved": (1) There being but one God implies that He must have the same desire toward all people, which is, namely,
their salvation. One mediator suggests His having made the same provision for all people, namely redemption. (2)
Jesus gave himself a ransom for all (verse 6). (3) Paul's being divinely ordained...a teacher of the Gentiles (verse 7)
shows that if sinful pagans are instructed in faith and verity (truth), then surely God does indeed want all to be saved.
2:6 To be testified in due time (or, "the proof given at the right time"): Jesus' sacrifice is "proof" of God's wish for all
to be converted.
2:8 I will...that men pray everywhere (or, "I intend...that men in every locality pray"): The Greek word andres means
"males." Men are to lead audibly in public prayer; women are to pray silently. This directive remains the same "in
every locality," geography being no factor. The manner in which men are to pray is that of lifting up holy hands, that
is, with a pure life, which is without wrath and doubting (disputes).
2:9 Verses 9-15 give guidelines for the woman's place in public worship. With shamefacedness and sobriety (or,
"with modesty and discretion"): The female has a divinely implanted desire to have a good appearance, and Paul is
not discouraging this, Rather, he is speaking against extravagant and ostentatious dress. Women are neither to
dress immodestly, so as to exploit their feminine charm, hindering their brethren from worship; nor are they to overdo
their dress, provoking their Christians sisters to jealousy.
2:10 This verse could be rendered: "But let them dress themselves with that which is proper for women who profess,
by their good works, reverence for God." For such women proper dress should conform to their Christians testimony
and behavior.
2:11 In public worship services women are to learn in silence with all [the fullest] subjection to church leadership.
2:12 The prohibition against women teaching in the church is qualified by Titus 2:4, which allows them to instruct
other women (and probably children also).
2;13, 14 Two reasons are given for the apostolic command of verse 12. (1) Priority in Creation denotes man's
authority over women (verse 13). God could have created the woman first or both simultaneously; but He did not, as
it was always His intention for man to lead and woman to follow. (2) In the serpent's temptation (Genesis 3) Adam
was not deceived, but Eve was deceived.
2:15 This verse is amphibological, that is, it means two different things concurrently, both of which are correct. She
shall be saved has a soteriological and an ecclesiastical meaning. The former means that although Eve fell "in the
transgression" (verse 14), women can be spiritually saved from sin, provided they persevere in faith and charity
[love] and holiness with sobriety (chastity). The ecclesiastical meaning indicates the women "shall be saved" from
having no role or significance in the local church. Her primary ministry is that of childbearing and the rearing of
children who will become godly adults and leaders. "The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world."
1 Timothy chapter 3
3:1 We could render the verse as follows: " This is a reliable statement: if anyone strives for the position of overseer;
he desires a noble task." See the note on Philippians 1:1 for bishops and "overseers."
3:2 Blameless means irreproachable, that is, impeccable in reputation. The husband of one wife, faithful to his wife.
Vigilant means temperate. This speaks of spiritual sobriety: not intoxicated or controlled by fleshly passions and
sensual appetites. To be sober is to be of sound behavior means orderly in life, habits, and work. One who is given
to hospitality receives strangers warmly and treats guests generously. To be apt to teach is to be skillful in teaching
Scripture.
3:3 Not given to wine means not addicted to wine. No striker means not physically violent. Not greedy means not fond
of dishonest gain. Patient means not quarrelsome, peaceable; that is, does not argue over minor matters or always
seek to have his way, but defers to the wishes of others when no cardinal doctrine or policy is sacrificed. Not
covetous, literally, "not a lover of money": His main priority is not the acquisition of money. Materialism ill befits on
called above all to care for the spiritual welfare of souls.
3:4 Ruleth well his own house means the he manages his family rightly. Having his children in subjection means that
he brings about with all gravity (in a dignified manner) obedience in his children.
3:5 Paul's reasoning is from the lesser to the greater: a man poorly managing his own family is incapable of giving
proper leadership to the church family.
3:6 Not a novice: He is not a new convert or young Christian. We may render the last part of the verse: "lest, being
conceited, he fall into judgment incurred by the Devil." As satan fell through pride, similarly a neophyte could be
ruined by pride after being promoted to leadership too swiftly.
3:7 A good report: The overseer must not be the object of justified criticism (Luke 6:26) by non-Christians (them
which are without). Otherwise, he likely to become a target for reproach [disgrace] and the snare sprung by the devil.
3:8 Grave means worthy of respect. Not double-tongued means saying the same thing to one party as to the other.
Not greedy of filthy lucre means not being fond of dishonest financial profits. The same word is used in verse 3.
3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith: As capable apologists and defenders, deacons must preserve the truth as God
revealed it.
3:10 The verse may be translated, "and let these, too, first be examined then let them serve as deacon, if found
blameless." This probably refers not to a probationary period, but to examination for the required qualities of
character. The word "too" implies that this requirement applies also to overseers (elders).
3:11 Their wives (or, deaconesses): As in Romans 16:1, these women who held office ministered especially to
female believers, instructing them, giving counsel, helping when sick, and so on. Grave means temperate,
possessing self-control. Faithful in all things is dependable in all matters.
3:13 The verse may be translated, "For they who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good
standing and much joyful confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus." This "good standing" is spiritual progress
acquired by faithful church service.
3:15 If Paul should delay (tarry long) in visiting Timothy, this epistle instructs him how he must behave himself in the
house of God, that is, how to properly order his personal conduct in the church, and how to manage church affairs
as a leader. Timothy must comply with Paul's directions because the church belongs to God and is the pillar
[support] and ground [foundation] of the truth. If church member and affairs do not conform to the standards set
forth in this epistle, the bulwark of the truth (the church) will be seriously undermined.
3:16 Great is the mystery of godliness may be translated: "Greet is the mystery of the [Christian] religion." The
importance of faith (truth) preached by the Christian church is another reason Timothy must "behave" himself and
manage ecclesiastical affairs (verse 15) as set forth in this epistle. Should he fail to do so, the heralding of the
Christian faith will be hindered. God was manifest in the flesh: Jesus was revealed in human form. Justified in the
Spirit: The Holy Spirit vindicated Jesus in that his true nature was disclosed and His messianic claims substantiated.
Seen of angels: They witnessed Jesus' whole earthly career. Preached unto the Gentiles: The gospel of Jesus has
been proclaimed to the nations. Believed on in the world: Multitudes have accepted the gospel, trusting in Jesus.
Received up into glory: Jesus was divinely taken back into heaven.