1 Timothy 2:1-2 First of All

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. [1 Timothy 2:1-2 NASB]

First of all means first in importance. It is not a reference to time (as in "do this, then do something else), but is a reference to value. It means that there are a great many important things in the Christian's life, but the first thing is prayer.

A variety of terminology is used in reference to prayer. Entreaties, prayers, and petitions all denote prayer with slightly different meanings. 

To entreat God means to make your needs known to Him. This includes your personal prayer requests as well as interceding for others.

Paul uses the word "prayer" in the general sense of talking to God, regardless of place, style or content. It can refer to the quiet time spent alone with Him, or the quick prayer spoken in the moment, or the awareness of God as you turn your mind towards Him throughout the day.

The original Greek meaning of the word translated "petitions" is "a falling in with, meeting with, or coming together". This indicates gathering together for public, communal prayer.

What is most important in this is not the difference in definitions, but that Paul is piling on multiple descriptions of prayer. This is a literary device that Paul often uses to draw attention to a subject that he considers to be particularly important.

He finishes his admonition to prayer with "thanksgivings." 

We are to pray for all men, both in our private prayer, as well as in our public meetings, and we are to be thankful for those we pray for.

We are to pray for "kings and all who are in authority." For Americans, that means praying for the president. It doesn't matter if you agree with his politics. Whether you love him or think him a scoundrel is irrelevant. Paul said;

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. [Romans 13:1-2 NASB]

Beyond just the president, we pray for all who are in authority. That means both parties in both houses of Congress, judges, governors and state leaders, county and local authorities. They all affect our lives.

Praying for those in authority is not a guarantee that we will be able to live a quiet and tranquil life. Paul prayed for Nero, who ended up feeding Christians to lions, crucifying Christians on the streets of Rome, and lighting their bodies on fire at night in the place of lanterns. We know that persecution will happen, and we are taught to not only accept it, but to rejoice in it. But that doesn't mean we should give up on praying.

You may never know what effect your prayer may have had in the affairs of the world, or in the life of an individual. Even if a leader rejects the will of God, rebels against Him, and turns against His people, continue to pray for him. Even if your prayer has no effect on a godless leader, it will have an effect on you, so never stop praying.

Father, I thank you for the President, and those in government, Congress, the Governor, county commissioners and city council. I pray your blessings on them, for their salvation, for wisdom, and that we will be able to live with them in peace.

1 Timothy 1:18-20 Fight the Good Fight

This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme. [1 Timothy 1:18-20 NASB]

Three times in the New Testament, the Christian life is compared to fighting the good fight. In each of these cases, it was Paul writing to Timothy. He mentions it again later in this letter;

Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. [1 Timothy 6:12 NASB]

And again, referring to himself;

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; [2 Timothy 4:7 NASB]

There is a war for your faith. You can fight in the war, and keep the faith, or you can sit idly by and let your faith be shipwrecked.

There are many things in the world that will try to steal your faith. The world is full of temptations that would compromise your moral integrity.

Paul told Timothy to keep a good conscience. This doesn't mean, "Don't fell guilty about what you do." It means, "Don't do anything to feel guilty about." 

As Christians, we are called to be above reproach. We must assume that the world wants to see us fall. The media seems to take a particular delight whenever a professing Christian does anything of a questionable nature. And they seem to exult whenever a Christian falls into outright sin.

We understand our own humanity, and we know how easy it is to stumble. We forgive one another when we lapse because we can relate. Ironically, the world, which rejects Jesus and His moral standards, hold us to a higher standard than we do ourselves. They may not agree with our morals, but they expect us to strictly adhere to them, and label us "hypocrite" when we fail.

Our fight is not against the world, or against the moral decay of society. The fight is within ourselves. We must fight the temptation to give up. How much easier life would be if we could just go along with our coworkers and friends.

Paul gave Timothy  two examples of people who gave up on moral purity, and he said the result was that they "suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith."

Paul said that these two men, Hymenaeus and Alexander, were "handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme." This is reminiscent of another scripture regarding a believer who was living a sinful lifestyle;

I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. [1 Corinthians 5:5 NASB]

I think what this means is that the misbehaving brother was removed from the fellowship of believers. He was placed back into the world, where he was, once again, under the dominion of Satan, who is also called the god of this world. Because of the grievousness of his sin, he was removed from the protection of God, and subject once again to the oppression of the devil.

The purpose of this removal was to highlight the depth of his loss by being separated from God's people, and God's protection. The goal was to bring him back to a place of repentance, so that he would once again be embraced by God and by the church.

Don't be like Hymenaeus and Alexander, sacrificing your faith for the pleasures of this world.

Instead, be like Paul and Timothy, fighting the good fight, holding fast to the faith, and maintaining a good conscience before the Lord.

Father, I pray for grace that You will help me to stay clear of those things that would wreck my faith. Please give me the wisdom to see them for what they are. Lord, I choose to follow you. I commit to the discipline to keep the faith, and the moral purity to maintain a good conscience.

1 Timothy 1:17 Worship

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. [1 Timothy 1:17 NASB]

This line isn't written as a theological treatise on the attributes of God. It is a spontaneous expression of adoration and worship. It is Paul's heartfelt response to God's mercy which was poured out on Paul, and also on any who would come to God in repentance.

God our King is eternal. He is; He has always been; He always will be. God alone was here before the creation of the world, which He formed with His words. In ages to come, the world as we know it will be done away with, and God will create a new heaven and a new earth. He will live eternally in the New Jerusalem, and He has invited us to live with Him for eternity to come.

Prophesying about Jesus, Isaiah said;

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. [Isaiah 9:6 NASB]

We know that God is triune; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We think we have that figured out with clear, sharp lines delineating the role of each "member" of the Trinity. But as Isaiah's prophecy indicates, our definition of God tends to get a bit blurry around the edges. The Son is also called The Eternal Father. I think the reality of God is so far above the capacity of human understanding that we cannot fully know him as long as we inhabit this flesh. Our minds simply aren't capable of taking Him in. As He said to Moses;

But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!” [Exodus 33:20 NASB]

I guess it is helpful for us to break down our understanding of God into small, knowable chunks. Just understand that He is beyond our understanding. Know that we cannot fully know Him. He reveals Himself to us in many ways, and He wants us to know Him to the extent that we are able, but the knowledge of God is vast beyond human capacity.

Consider the Holy Spirit. I have heard many descriptions of the Holy Spirit over the years. Some liken Him to the Force (of Star Wars fame), and have written book to that end. Many people view the Holy Spirit in this way - if not with the same terminology. They see Him, not as God, but as a power to be tapped and used. I have heard many preachers talk about "tapping into the power of the Holy Spirit"

In "The Shack" He is described as wispy, ethereal girl, dancing and whirling her way through flights of fancy. Somehow less serious and less substantial than the Father and Son.

Many of those who reject the idea of the Holy Spirit as a "force", see Him as Jesus' little brother. A lesser member of the Trinity. The sensitive one.

But, understand this: the Holy Spirit is God. He is fully God, not a "force", not a lesser member, not given to flights of fancy. He is God, in all of His power, and all of His splendor. He is the King on the throne. 

And He has chosen to live in the hearts of all who trust in the name of Jesus. He is invisible, but He is always with you, and in you; speaking to you, teaching you, and guiding you - if you will quiet your mind and listen.

To God alone be glory forever and ever. He is worthy of all praise.

My Lord God, You are worthy of all praise and glory. Holy is Your name, o Lord. Holy, holy, holy, lord God almighty who was and who is and who is to come. Lord, I worship You with all my heart.

1 Timothy 1:15-16 Sinners

It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. [1 Timothy 1:15-16 NASB]

Previously in this chapter, Paul referred to sinners by saying;

realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, [1 Timothy 1:9-10 NASB]

Paul identifies with these sinners. What's more, he considers his sins to be more severe than any of them. He says regarding his own sins;

even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; [1 Timothy 1:13 NASB]

Far from condemning sinners, Paul counts himself among them and says "among whom I am foremost of all." He offers mercy to sinners through Jesus Christ.

Paul presents himself as an example. In essence he is saying, "If i can find mercy, then anybody can find mercy."

He uses this phrase, "It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance." Everything written in the Bible is trustworthy and deserving full acceptance, but by making this statement, Paul is singling out the next statement for special emphasis. Think of it as bold, italicized, and underlined. The statement is this: "Jesus came into the world to save sinners."

This is probably the best and most concise summary of the gospel ever. It goes right to the heart and intent of Jesus' mission on earth. As John said;

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." [John 3:16-17 NASB]

Many sinners believe that theirs is the worst sin. I have been told, "I want to be saved, but I have sinned too badly for God to forgive me." But I can tell you with absolute certainty that it is not true.

If you have any longing for God, that longing comes from the Holy Spirit who is calling you to Christ. It is not in your nature to seek God without Him first calling for you.

If you have never been saved, come to Him. If you have been saved, but feel distant from Him because of ongoing sin in your life, then come back. Pray this prayer with me.

My Father in heaven, I praise Your name. Lord, I confess that I have sinned, and I ask you to forgive me. Cleanse me and make me right with You. Jesus, I confess that you are my Lord, and I believe that You died to pay the price for my sin, then rose from the dead, and that You are alive forevermore with God the Father. Thank You for my salvation.

1 Timothy 1:12-14 Service

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. [1 Timothy 1:12-14 NASB]

The apostle Paul was unparalleled in his service for Christ. He preached and planted churches throughout the Roman Empire. He was persecuted, stoned and left for dead, shipwrecked, beaten multiple times. He was hungry, thirsty, afraid, and discouraged. Yet, through it all, he remained faithful. Not because he was naturally tenacious, or stronger that other men, but because relied on Jesus, the source of his strength.

It was because of Jesus' strength that Paul was able to be counted as faithful. In fact, faithfulness is included in the fruit of the Spirit;

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. [Galatians 5:22-23 NASB]

Faithfulness does not grow out of tenacity, or stubbornness. It comes from a humble willingness to serve, and a sincere desire to know Christ.

I have heard some say that Paul's background as a Pharisee, and his zeal as persecutor of the church were "whitewashed" into faithful service. Paul doesn't seem to agree with that assessment. He references his past sins as a contrast to who he became. He is not a faithful servant because of his past, but in spite of it. He said;

More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, [Philippians 3:8 NASB]

At the same time, he never let the past hinder his present. He said that he was shown mercy because he acted ignorantly in unbelief. It's the same for all who don't know Jesus. In their unbelief, they act ignorantly, not capable of following Him. But, His mercy is freely available to all who will come to Him, and surrender their past to Him. Those of us who surrender our past know the joy of His Spirit in the present, and the glorious hope of a future with Him.

None of us has the capacity within ourselves to be a faithful servant of Christ. It is only by His grace and His strength. Whatever strengths you thought you had before being saved need to be counted as loss, so that you can rely on His strength alone.

Don't let guilt from your past hinder you from serving Him now. That is not from God, but is selfish and arrogant. It is saying that your sin is greater than God's grace. Yet Paul said;

The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, [Romans 5:20 NASB]

Paul said that the grace of God is "more than abundant." The literal translation of that phrase is "superabundant". The grace of God is superabundant.

All the tools you need for service are found in Christ. It is His grace and strength. He is the source of our faithfulness. Faith and love are found in Him.

Lord Jesus, I thank You for the calling with which You have called me to serve. I don't serve in my name, but in Yours alone. I pray for Your strength. I turn to You for the wisdom, love and faith that I need to complete my service.

1 Timothy 1:8-11 The Law is Good

But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted. [1 Timothy 1:8-11 NASB]

Because I so often say that I am not under Law, but under grace, some may conclude that I hold an animosity toward the Law. Or that I believe, as some do, that the Law no longer effectively exists. This is not true. Jesus, Himself, said;

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. [Matthew 5:17-18 NASB]

The Law was given for a reason. Paul said;

But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. [Galatians 3:23-25 NASB]

The Law teaches us about our need for sin. Paul discusses the role of the Law in Romans;

What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “YOU SHALL NOT COVET.” [Romans 7:7 NASB]

1 Timothy 1:9 tells us that the law was not made for the righteous, but for sinners. The problem is that there is none who is righteous; "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." [Romans 3:23 NASB]

Therefore, if you break the Law, you will be judged by the Law. But, if you are righteous, you are no longer bound to the law. We have no power within ourselves to become righteous, but Jesus paid the price of our sin, and made us to become righteous by faith.

It's not that the Law has passed away, nor have the requirements of the Law been done away with. Rather, it is that we who are in Christ have died to the Law;

Or do you not know, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives? For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband. So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man. Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. [Romans 7:1-4 NASB]

We are free from the Law because, in Christ, we have died to the Law. Jesus said that He came to fulfill the Law. Paul said;

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. [Romans 8:1-4 NASB]

We don't break the Law because we are not under the Law. In truth, the Law is fulfilled in those of us who believe, and walk in the Spirit of Christ.

I am not "anti-Law". But, I know that faith is greater than the Law, just as God's grace is greater than sin. I live my life under God's grace by faith, and not under the Law.

Father, I thank You for Your grace. Thank You for the forgiveness of sins. Thank You for adopting me as Your child and heir. Please give me the grace to walk in the Spirit at all times, so that Your righteousness may live through me.

1 Timothy 1:5-7 The Foundation

But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions. [1 Timothy 1:5-7 NASB]

Paul lays a three legged foundation for the Christian life: Love, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. 

In the previous verses, Paul refers to men teaching strange doctrines. He comes back to that subject. These false teachers have strayed from the foundation that Paul laid with his teaching. They want to be teachers themselves, but their teaching only results in fruitless discussions. In verse 4, Paul refers to "myths and endless genealogies."

Their desire to teach does not result from God's calling, but from ambition, or desire for recognition. Instead of seeking God, and studying to discern the truth of the scriptures, they pass on the myths that they have been taught. Emboldened by their success, they may even invent their own stories to pass on as "truth".

Their claim is that they teach the scriptures (the Law), but they don't understand the scriptures they are trying to teach. They are lazy, simply repeating what they have been taught instead of studying it out for themselves. Paul referred to "the Law", or the Old Testament, as the only scriptures available to them at the time. Now, we refer to the entire Old and New Testament as scripture.

People continue to teach the Bible, even though they do not understand it. For example, preachers stand in the pulpit every week and teach that we have to keep the Ten Commandments, even though Paul clearly said, "You are not under law but under grace." [Romans 6:14 NASB] At the same time, they feel completely justified in breaking the third commandment by not observing the Sabbath on Saturday as the Law dictates. Is it that they are required to keep part of the Law, but not the other parts? And how are they to know which to keep and which not to keep? And if they are required to keep the Ten Commandments, are they not also required to keep all 613 commandments of the Law, including the Levitical commandments? Or should they dismiss them because they are too hard, or "irrelevant".

An understanding of scripture would inform them that they are not obligated to keep any part of the Law, including the Ten Commandments. But as the Spirit of God produces love in a sincere heart, we will fulfill the intent of the Law without being obligated to it.

Many teachers have no true understanding of what they are saying, but they say it with such confidence that people believe them.

Paul is warning us to not stray from the foundation of the truth. It is true that God works in us for our sanctification, but we have to willingly submit to His Spirit, who is working in us.

We must make the conscious decision to humbly seek after God, and not be satisfied or complacent. We must decide to be open to His Spirit, and not close our minds to Him, and not be satisfied with what we already know (or think we know). We need to discipline ourselves to read and study His word, with an open mind, eager to learn His truth.

Challenge what you already know. Seek the truth, prayerfully, in scripture. Let Him confirm the truth you know, and establish it firmly in your heart and in your mind. Or, when necessary, let Him change your mind as you gain fresh understanding from His word. Be a seeker of the truth.

Lord, I thank You that You have made me righteous in Your eyes, and by Your grace, I am able to stand before you with a clean conscience. I pray that Your Spirit will increase the love in my heart. Please purge me of any insincerity, that my faith may be pure.