1 Timothy 6:11-12 Pursue Righteousness

But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. 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 6:11-12 NASB]

The man of God will flee from such things as greed, false teaching, and all of the evils that go with them. Instead, we are to pursue the things of the Spirit of God.

There are innumerable books on the subject of how to be a success in the world. Usually, the first principle in these books is "setting goals". It is a simple, yet profound, principle. If you are going to achieve something, you have to know what it is that you want to achieve. A common proverb is, "if you aim for nothing, that's what you will get."

In business, you may set a goal to own your own business, or to increase sales volume by 30%, or to become a CEO.

Some churches are run the same way. I was once involved in a church that hired a business manager to manage the church. As a successful businessman, he had made several companies grow, and so he applied the same principles to running a church. Set a goal for so many new members each quarter. Maximize profit, and minimize expenses. The church fell apart, in part because they had set worldly goals instead of spiritual goals. They placed the welfare of the institutional church over the welfare of the people. Other abuses followed, and sin was allowed dominion in the leadership. Paul said;

If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. [1 Timothy 6:3-5 NASB]

We are told to fight the good fight. Paul liked to use sports metaphors. He said;

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. [1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NASB]

In other words, set a goal for your spiritual life, and then live it in such a way as to achieve that goal. And what should be our goal? In today's passage Paul said;

Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. [1 Timothy 6:11 NASB]

This is reminiscent of 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]

Note that it is "fruit of the Spirit", singular; and not "fruits of the Spirit", plural. 

If you feel like you need more joy in you life, don't set a goal to be more joyful. Don't say, "I'm doing well with all the fruits except patience. I need to work on patience." That's not how it works.

If you want to live out the attributes of a godly person, seek God. If you want all of the fruit of the Spirit, seek God. 

These things are not character traits that we need to work on improving, they are signposts indicating our relationship to God through His Spirit. So then, if you are lacking in love, faith, patience, or any other thing, then the solution is to draw closer to God in prayer. Spend intimate time alone with Him. Don't settle for just a quick prayer in the morning, or the passing prayer in your car or at work. Set aside time to get alone with God.

The more time you spend with Him, the more He will transform you into His image, and these attributes you seek will flow freely from your spirit.

Father, I pray that, by Your grace, You will keep me free from greed and wickedness, and lead me in the paths of righteousness.

1 Timothy 6:6-10 Love of Money

But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. [1 Timothy 6:6-10 NASB]

The gain of godliness is a heavenly reward, and has nothing to do with money. Godliness must be accompanied by contentment. It is enough that we have food and clothing. Jesus said;

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? [Matthew 6:24-26 NASB]

Desire for money and its trappings leads to a trap. Desire fulfilled doesn't lead to contentment, but leaves you craving more, and leads to more and different desires, even leading to depravity and a loss of faith.

Christians who follow the "prosperity doctrine" define prosperity as financial wealth. They have to either ignore these scriptures, or pervert them to mean something that they don't.

I once spoke to a Christian man who rejected the idea of contentment. He reasoned that it was God who gave him a desire for a bigger house and a more luxurious car. He said that if he was content, then he would no longer want to improve. He, of course, missed the point. He was blinded by his greed, and refused to listen to any scripture that might disrupt his plans.

I hear a lot of Christians say that they want financial freedom. "Financial freedom" means different things to different people. To some it simply means being out of debt. This is a noble and Biblical ideal.

To others, "financial freedom" means accumulating wealth and having a high enough income to fulfill their every desire.

Don't believe the lies of the prosperity preachers. They appeal to your greed, and lay a trap for your soul. Jesus was an anti-prosperity preacher. Mark gives this account of Jesus in the temple;

And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” [Mark 12:41-44 NASB]

And remember what Jesus told the rich, young ruler;

Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” [Matthew 19:21 NASB]

Jesus made it clear;

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. [Matthew 6:19-21 NASB]

Financial prosperity has nothing to do with the prosperity that is taught in the Bible. True prosperity is doing the will of the Father, and storing up treasures in heaven. If you seek rewards in this lifetime, you may receive them, but, having received your reward on earth, you will forfeit your reward in heaven.

Father, I thank You that You have provided all of the things I need. Your provision has never failed me. I pray that You will give the grace to be content with what I have, and not to strive and long for more and more.

1 Timothy 6:3-5 False Teaching

If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. [1 Timothy 6:3-5 NASB]

Paul begins by talking about the specific teaching regarding slaves. He quickly expands that to include all of the teaching about Jesus and the principles of godliness. This includes, not just this letter written to Timothy, but to all of the teaching of the New Testament.

Anyone who disagrees with or disregards the teachings of the gospel are arrogant and ignorant. What is translated in the NASB as "morbid interest" literally means "sick". In other words, he has a mental illness in his attraction to controversy. He is insane.

Remember that Timothy was in Ephesus, which was seeing the beginnings of Gnosticism. The teaching that was becoming vogue was that through personal holiness and asceticism, one could receive revelations that went beyond what the apostles were teaching. They believed that they could start with the gospel as a foundation and then build on it with their own dreams and fantasies. Any revelation or doctrine that they dreamed up was as valid (or more valid) as the teachings given to the apostles by Jesus Christ.

The result was a fractured church. Their teaching led to jealousy, strife, blasphemy, paranoia, and constant in-fighting. The men are described as being of "depraved mind and deprived of the truth."

Gnosticism, as a formal movement, wasn't fully formed in the first century, and it is considered to be extinct in the 21st century. But the idea that we can either add on to the gospel or reinterpret it has always been around.

Mormonism is the most obvious example of this, with the book of Mormon being added to the Bible.

Others are more subtle in their efforts. The Jehovah's Witness uses their own Bible translation, in which they re-translate passages that they don't like to match their preconceived theology.

I've heard evangelical preachers fall into the same trap. Not by re-translating the Bible, but by conveniently ignoring the parts that contradict their message. One example of this is the prosperity doctrine, which picks a few prosperity promises from the Bible and ignores all of the passages about suffering and tribulation. It's easy to preach prosperity when you're pulling down a six-figure salary.

As dedicated Christians whose desire is to conform to sound teaching and follow the principles of godliness, it is vital that we do not engage with these false teachers. They love to argue, and their words only sow division, so don't debate them. If you can show them the error of their thinking, that's fine, but if they argue, just walk away from the conversation.

You may not be a "teacher" in the sense of calling or position, and you may never stand in front of a group to teach, but everybody teaches someone as we go through our life, in our conversations, and by our examples. It is very important, therefore, that you study and know the word of God. Make sure your beliefs are based on the Bible, and not on anything that any man has taught you. Learn from your teachers, and then study it for yourself. Don't be afraid to think differently from your pastor. That's not a sin. And if it's a small matter, you can let it go. If you come to believe that your pastor is teaching a false gospel, violating the scriptures, then you should find a pastor and teacher whom you can trust.

Be very careful who you listen to and follow. There are a great many people out there who speak in Jesus' name, and who would lead you into ungodliness.

Father, I thank you that You have given me Your word, with the teaching of godliness. Please direct my path to those who teach well with sound doctrine.  Give me the grace to speak only the truth of Your word.

1 Timothy 6:1-2 Slavery

All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against. Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles. [1 Timothy 6:1-2 NASB]

Slavery has existed since the early history of man. As one nation conquered another, nation, the conquered became slave of the conquerors. 

The Bible neither condones nor condemns slavery, but merely accepts it as societal reality in the first century. It even acknowledges Christian slave owners, without condemning them. It does, however, encourage slaves to accept freedom if they can get it.

Otherwise, slaves were encouraged to accept their position as slaves and to do their best work;

Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. [Colossians 3:22-24 NASB]

There is a tendency among humans to give in to spiritual pride. After all, we are children of God, the King of all things. Paul's warning to slaves is to honor their earthly master, and not to look upon them with contempt.

Likewise, slaves with Christian masters had to be careful of their attitude. After all, it would be easy to think, "We are both brothers in Christ, and in Him there is neither slave nor free." However, in the flesh, the relationship remains. Complicating matters even more is the fact that some slaves were elders in the church, and had spiritual authority over their earthly masters in the flesh. No doubt, that was confusing and hard to reconcile.

Over time, it was the Christian influence that prompted the nations of the earth to eventually abolish slavery. The Bible encouraged the freedom of slaves, but didn't call for social reform;

Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. [1 Corinthians 7:21-23 NASB]

 If the world followed Christian principles, there would be no inequality. Paul said;

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; [Philippians 2:3 NASB]

There would be no prejudice;

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [Galatians 3:28 NASB]

Unfortunately, Christians will always be in the minority compared to the people of the world, including those who are Christian in name only. Jesus said;

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. [Matthew 7:13-14 NASB]

In the world, they fight and claw their way past one another. They destroy so that they can build themselves up. That should not be our way. Paul said;

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. [Philippians 4:11-13 NASB]

Be content with whatever your position is in life, but if you can improve it, do so. It is not a contradiction to be content, and also aspire to better circumstances. It is your personal responsibility to make the best of your circumstances. It is not the responsibility of society to improve your circumstances for you.

Lord God, I pray for healing in our nations. Please heal the racial divisions, and the class divisions between the rich and the poor. I pray for the grace to keep my eyes fixed on You, in whom I find my peace. 

1 Timothy 5:24-25 Our Deeds; Revealed and Hidden

The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after. Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed. [1 Timothy 5:24-25 NASB]

Often, criminal activity is obvious. We can see if someone is a thief, a rioter, or a murderer. In less criminal circumstances, we can tell if someone is a habitual liar, or a drunkard. We can look at such people, and unless they acknowledge and receive the Lord's grace, we know their fate in the judgement. We can easily recognize the deeds of the flesh;

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. [Galatians 5:19-21 NASB]

There are other sins that are not quite so obvious. Jesus said;

“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court. [Matthew 5:21-22 NASB]

He also said;

“You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [Matthew 5:27-28 NASB]

I have heard Christians justify their roving eyes by saying, "There's no harm in looking." But, according to Jesus, there is. It is sin, just as surely as if you hooked up and had an adulterous affair. In God's eyes, sinful thoughts are just as sinful as sinful acts.

Likewise, some good deeds are obvious, and others are not. But all of our deeds, whether obvious or hidden, will be revealed in the final judgement;

Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God. [1 Corinthians 4:5 NASB]

In this context, it is apparent that Paul was still instructing Timothy regarding the discipline and appointment of elders.

On a more personal note, this scripture applies to our own lives. We need to examine ourselves, and we need to be sure of our righteous standing with God. We may think our sin is hidden, but God has said, "be sure your sin will find you out." [Numbers 32:23 NASB]

In the same way, your good deeds will also be apparent to the world. Jesus said;

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. [Matthew 5:16 NASB]

Some of our good deeds are noticeable, but others will never be seen or recognized. We must remember that we do good works for the glory of God, and not for recognition. Jesus said;

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. [Matthew 6:1 NASB]

This is a question of motive. If you do good works to be seen, then the recognition of men is the only reward you will receive, and you will have forfeited your heavenly reward. 

But, if you serve with the right motives, and the world sees your good works, then the glory goes to God, and you will receive your reward in heaven.

Father, I pray that you will reveal my heart and show me my hidden sins that I may confess them to You. Please forgive me of my sins and give me the grace to overcome them. Please show my motives in service to You, and help me to keep them pure.

1 Timothy 5:23 Wine and Healing

No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. [1 Timothy 5:23 NASB]

There are a couple of interesting points to be made in this passage. The first regards the drinking of alcohol.

There are some religious traditions that absolutely forbid the drinking of alcohol. To them, alcohol in any form and any amount is sinful. They say that when the Bible speaks of drinking wine, it means non-alcoholic wine (that is, juice). But the scriptures don't bear this out. They say that the excessive use of wine leads to drunkenness. You don't get drunk on grape juice.

It's easy to see where this doctrine came from. After all, the Bible teaches that drunkenness is a sin;

envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. [Galatians 5:21 NASB]

If you abstain from wine completely, then you never need to worry about drunkenness. Total abstinence seems to have been Timothy's tactic, but Paul corrected him by telling him to drink a little wine for medicinal purposes.

I know a God-fearing Christian who enjoys an ice-cold beer at the end of a hot day. He is able to limit himself to a single beer, and doesn't get drunk.

There are others who, if they have one, they have to have a second, then a third and more. If they drink a little, it leads to drinking a lot. They need to abstain from alcohol altogether; not because religion dictates it, but to avoid the sin and consequence of drunkenness.

Whether to avoid alcohol or not is not a matter of religious imposition, but of personal responsibility.

The second interesting point, to me, is the mention of Timothy's "frequent ailments". You can me sure that with Timothy and Paul's close companionship, Paul prayed for Timothy to be healed. Timothy's ailments were never healed; not because of lack of faith on the part of either Paul or Timothy, but because God didn't  heal him.

I believe that God heals today, just as He did in the Bible. I have prayed for people to be healed, and I have witnessed miraculous healings. I also acknowledge that not everybody is healed.

There are those who teach that God no longer heals. But there is no scriptural evidence that the Holy Spirit would stop moving in supernatural ways after the "apostolic age". They usually refer the scripture;

Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. [1 Corinthians 13:8-10 NASB]

The idea that "the perfect" is the end of the apostolic age and completion of scripture is simply reading into the scripture according to preconceived notions. The only description of perfection refers to the new heavens and the new earth, when this earth has been destroyed.

On the opposite end of the spectrum are those who believe that God will heal everyone in this life, and if you are not healed it is because of unrepentant sin, or lack of faith. Again, they cherry pick their healing scriptures and create a doctrine without considering the full context of scripture. Jesus did not heal every person in Israel. As today's passage indicates, Timothy was not healed. 

Some preachers say that if you live a godly life, you will have perfect health. They arrogantly point to their own robust health as an example. The problem with teaching that people are not healed because they are in sin, or lacking in faith, is that it nullifies God's grace. God's gifts become something to be earned.

People who are not healed are shamed, and made to believe that their sickness is their own fault, and not the result of living in a fallen world. The wagging tongues speculate about what kind of sin is keeping them from being healed, or marvel at the weakness of their faith.

The teaching falls apart when the preacher falls ill or infirm with age, and eventually dies, as we all must.

Why wasn't Timothy healed? I don't know. The Bible doesn't say. It doesn't tell us why some people are healed and others are not. 

This does not diminish my faith in God in any way. I thank Him for my health, and I praise Him for my infirmities. I propose that it takes more faith to thank God for your sickness than it does to believe for good health. As we are told;

always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; [Ephesians 5:20 NASB]

Thank God for all things. Believe that, in all things, He loves you and has your best interest at heart. Believe that God will do only good for us, and not evil. Not all things that are hard or unpleasant are evil. Sometimes we just don't understand, but that's okay. We continue to trust God.

Lord, thank You that you are the God who heals. Thank you for your promise that I can come to You with my request for healing. I pray that You will keep me in good health, and heal my infirmities.

1 Timothy 5:17-22 Honoring Elders

The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality. Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin. [1 Timothy 5:17-22 NASB]

The word "elders" used in this passage doesn't refer to age, but to position. They are the appointed leaders who preside over the local church. They are not rulers in the sense of a king ruling over his subjects, but as the first among peers. An elder is like a tour guide who leads the way because he has been there before, or has studied the maps and know the way.

The elders are worthy of double honor. There are some pastors who would like for this to mean that they should make twice as much money as those in the congregation. Unfortunately for them, the scriptures don't bear that interpretation out. There are some congregations who go to the opposite extreme and say that the pastor shouldn't be paid at all. That also is unscriptural. Elders ("pastors" according to modern usage) should be honored with respect and with support. The man of God who devotes his life to the work of the ministry should receive a livable wage.

Paul quotes two scriptures to make his point; Deuteronomy 25:4, and Luke 10:7. At the time of this writing, Luke's gospel had been in circulation for about ten years. It was already considered scripture. Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, felt free to quote the work written by his own helper and ministry partner, and call it scripture.

Honoring elders involves giving them the respect to disregard rumors. 

Devoting yourself to the service of God places a target on your back. For the elders, this means that they must live a life so far above reproach that there can be no credible accusation against them. 

For the rest of us, it means that if an accusation is made against an elder, it is to be disregarded as mere rumor unless it has been corroborated. This corroboration must be from two or three eyewitnesses, and not two or three people who have heard and repeated the same rumor.

Elders who fall into sin deserve the same consideration and correction as any other believer. Jesus said;

“If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. “But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. [Matthew 18:15-17 NASB]

Pastors are human, and are subject to the same human frailties as you and I. If they fail, they should be rebuked in private, and, if they turn from their sin, it should go no further. But, as Paul said, if they continue to sin, then they should be rebuked in the presence of all.

There are some who are so biased against ministers that the merest hint of a rumor will have them clamoring for the pastor's removal. There are others who are so enthralled with the pastor that they believe he can do no wrong. Both attitudes will prejudice your judgement. But if anybody is brought before the church for judgement, or if you are in a position to judge, then you must not form an opinion until you have heard all the facts.

The elders - or pastors - deserve honor; not because they are better, and not because they rule, but because the have chosen to serve. The word "minister" literally means "a servant". There are some who have lost sight of that. But those pastors who serve well have chosen to be a servant of God, and a servant to His people.

Father, I thank you that You have appointed ministers to teach us and guide us in the paths of righteousness. I pray for the elders at my church that you will bless them and give them wisdom lo lead.