READING: 1 Tim. 1-3 – Warnings, Gratitude, Prayer, Bishops, Deacons, and Mystery

Paul’s first letter to Timothy explained why he left him in charge of the Ephesian church when he went into Macedonia. He was charged with instructing certain people not to teach any different doctrines nor to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies that lead to wild speculation. These speculations were replacing the divine training that is known by faith. 

“The aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. Some have deviated from these, desiring to be teachers of the law without understanding what they are saying nor the things about which they make assertions.” 

Paul expressed to Timothy his gratitude toward Christ “because he judged me faithful, even though I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief.” Paul said that he had been the chief of sinners. 

Timothy received these instructions in keeping with prophecies made about him, so that he may “fight the good fight, having faith and a good conscience.” Certain persons have rejected conscience and have suffered the shipwreck of their faith – including Hymenaeus and Alexander. 

Prayer, intersessions, and thanksgiving should be made for all; kings and all in high places, so we may lead a quiet, peaceable life with godliness. This pleases God who wants all to be saved and know the truth. 

Chapter three lays out the qualities of character and experience needed in one who aspires to the work of the episcopoi, or the overseers who care for the church. This word is applied to those who care for widows and orphans (James 1:27). His character must be impeccable. He must be married to one woman (literally he must be a “one-woman-man”). He must have a temperate disposition, not a drunkard or violent temper, but gentle. He is to be hospitable, sensible, and respectable. He must manage his household well, and keep his children submissive and respectful. How can he manage the church if he cannot manage his home? Nor should he be a recent convert, lest he be puffed up. He must be well thought of by outsiders, so he will not fall into disgrace and the devil’s snare. 

Servants (diakanoi, transliterated as deacons) are to first be proven, then let them serve. They must be serious, not two-faced, not a winebibber, nor greedy for money. The deacon must hold fast to the mystery of the faith. Deacons must also be one-woman-men (or one-man-women, if women serve as deaconesses, here maybe and Phoebe in Romans 16:1-2). 

The Mystery of Godliness is shown in Christ. He was revealed in the flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, and taken up in glory. “There is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humans, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all.” 

Hallelujah! What a Savior! 

Can we fathom this mystery of Jesus? 

________________________________________________________________________________________ 

PRAY FOR YOURSELF

Father in the Heavens, I marvel at the mystery of the godhead, and that Jesus is human and divine! His mystery is great but so meaningful to me. This is my prayer of thanksgiving, in the name of Jesus, Your Son, and my mediator between You and me, AMEN!   

MY PRAYER FOR YOU (and for myself)  

Holy Father my prayer for all who read this and for myself, is that we may be thankful for your goodness, merciful kindness, love, and grace plus being thankful for Your gift of Your Son for myself, and for all who read this, in the precious name of Jesus, I pray, AMEN! 

READING: 1 Tim. 1-3 – Warnings, Gratitude, Prayer, Bishops, Deacons, and Mystery

Paul’s first letter to Timothy explained why he left him in charge of the Ephesian church when he went to Macedonia. He was charged with instructing certain people not to teach any different doctrines nor to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies that lead to wild speculation. These speculations were replacing the divine training that is known by faith. 

“The aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. Some have deviated from these, desiring to be teachers of the law without understanding what they are saying nor the things about which they make assertions.” 

Paul expressed to Timothy his gratitude toward Christ “because he judged me faithful, even though I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief.” Paul said that he had been the chief of sinners. 

Timothy received these instructions in keeping with prophecies made about him, so that he may “fight the good fight, having faith and a good conscience.” Certain persons have rejected conscience and have suffered the shipwreck of their faith – including Hymenaeus and Alexander. 

Prayer, intersessions, and thanksgiving should be made for all; kings and all in high places, so we may lead a quiet, peaceable life with godliness. This pleases God who wants all to be saved and know the truth. 

Chapter three lays out the qualities of character and experience needed in one who aspires to the work of the Episcopoi, or the overseers who care for the church. This word is applied to those who care for widows and orphans (James 1:27). His character must be impeccable. He must be married to one woman (he must be a “one-woman-man”). He must have a temperate disposition, not a drunkard or violent temper, but gentle. He is to be hospitable, sensible, and respectable. He must manage his household well and keep his children submissive and respectful. How can he manage the church if he cannot manage his home? Nor should he be a recent convert, lest he is puffed up. He must be well thought of by outsiders, so he will not fall into disgrace and the devil’s snare. 

Servants (diakanoi, transliterated, deacons) are to first be proven, then let them serve. They must be serious, not two-faced, not a winebibber, nor greedy for money. The deacon must hold fast to the mystery of the faith. Deacons must also be one-woman-men (or one-man-women, if women serve as deaconesses, here maybe and Phoebe in Romans 16:1-2). 

The Mystery of Godliness is shown in Christ. He was revealed in the flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, and taken up in glory. “There is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humans, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all.” (2:5-6)

Hallelujah! What a Savior! 

Can we fathom this mystery of Jesus? 

________________________________________________________________________________________

PRAY FOR YOURSELF

Father in the Heavens, I marvel at the mystery of the Godhead, and that Jesus is both human and divine! His mystery is great but so meaningful to me. This is my prayer of thanksgiving, in the name of Jesus, Your Son, and my mediator between You and me, AMEN!   

MY PRAYER FOR YOU (and for myself)  

Holy Father my prayer for all who read this and for myself, is that we may be thankful for your goodness, merciful kindness, love, and grace plus being thankful for Your gift of Your Son for myself, and for all who read this, in the precious name of Jesus, I pray, AMEN!