Category Archives: 1 Timothy

“Answers for a study in the book of 1 Timothy” (or other books we cover) is part of a weekly post in addition to the regular “apologetics” posts on the weekend where the original questions can be found at the bottom of the study, and then answers appear here mid-week. This gives you time to do your own research, and then check your answers. Keep in mind these will be basic answers with a little depth, but you can go much deeper for discussion if you’d like.

1.  Review of Class Topic:

With your table group, discuss today’s apologetic presentation by summarizing what you learned, commenting or asking any questions.

Answers will vary… 

Read 1 Timothy 6:1-21 with your group then, to the best of your ability, answer the following questions:

2.  Remembering the culture of that day, slavery/servanthood was a way of life, there was no “middle class” or even “low-income,” one was either rich or in some sort of servitude. Thus, Paul’s instruction here was fitting. What was Paul’s instruction concerning slaves and masters? How can that be put in application for us today?

“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)

• Slaves should show full respect for their masters, to bring shame on God and his teaching, regardless if the master is a believer or not
• Slaves should work even harder if their master is a believer because this helps other believers as well
• Note: In Colossians 4:1, Paul instructs Masters to be just and fair to their slaves, because they have a Master in Heaven.
• In our culture today, this principle can be seen in any work environment, and between any leader and follower, employer and employee and even parent and child. The principle is one of respect, justice and fairness that all believers should exhibit in all situations as this honors God. We must remember that we are “ambassadors for the LORD” and role models for others believers, and well as non-believers.

3.  What does Paul warn Timothy about concerning sound doctrine, and Godliness, versus different doctrines, and why?

^“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 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. But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.”

1 Timothy 6:3-6 (NASB)

• If someone is advocating a doctrine (teaching) that is different than those Jesus taught, then they are conceited and understand nothing; and they have a morbid interest in controversy and disputes.
• They stir up envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions and cause constant friction.
• They do this because their false sense of godliness is seen as a means of gain; but in reality, godliness is gain, and is accompanied by contentment (because a true follower of Jesus knows that this life is not all there is, but our eternal life is the prize we set our eye on).

4.  What does Paul warn about those who want to get rich and have a love of money? What should a person of God pursue instead?

^“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. 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 6:7-12 (NASB)

• We brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out, so therefore, we should be content with the necessities (food and covering) that the LORD provides.
• Those who want to get rich fall into temptation, snares, and many foolish and harmful desires that will plunge them into ruin and destruction.
• The love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some have left the faith by pursuing it, and have caused themselves much grief.
• Instead, a person of God should flee from those things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness – fight the good fight of faith and focus on eternal life to which we were called when we made the good confession in front of many witnesses.

5.  What did Paul say about the testimony of Jesus and what that should mean to us? Cross-reference with John 18:28-38 – What happened with Pilate?

 ^“I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.” 

1 Timothy 6:13-16 (NASB)

• Paul charges Timothy to keep the commandment of Jesus without stain or reproach, according to his testimony before Pilate:

The testimony of Jesus as he was brought before Pontius Pilate: ^“Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. Therefore Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” They answered and said to him, “If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you.” So Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law.” The Jews said to him, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death,” to fulfill the word of Jesus which He spoke, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die. Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?””  

John 18:28-38 (NASB)

• In this passage Jesus testifies that His Kingdom is not of this world, and if it was, He could immediately call His servants to fight to rescue Him [but He had a job to do here].
• Jesus testifies that He is a King, and that He was born [sent here] to testify to the truth, and that everyone who is of the truth will hear His voice. Pilate, sarcastically, says “what is truth?” Showing his relativistic worldview as he ultimately sends [allows the Jewish leaders to send] Jesus to the cross.
• The importance of this is to show that those, like Timothy, who know and follow the truth of Jesus, will follow all of Jesus’ teachings, which in essence is the command from our King!

6.  Paul is not saying one should not be rich in this world, rather he says that if you are rich there are certain things a believer should do. What does he tell Timothy to instruct them to do?

“Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”— which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.” 

1 Timothy 6:17-21 (NASB)

• To not be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches.
• Trust God who richly supplies all our needs.
• Do good, be rich in good works, be generous and ready to share.
• This guidance will help them to understand that the treasure of this life is the one that we store up by having a good foundation for the future [our Heavenly home].
• Paul also instructs Timothy [and all of us that follow Jesus] to avoid worldly and empty chatter and opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge” which some have professed and thus left the faith.
• This reminds me of today where those in upper academia dismiss the things of God and only consider the things of human knowledge falsely called science (e.g. Evolutionary theory and origin of life).

7.  Memory verses: Recite – 1 Timothy 1:15 (reason for salvation); 2 Timothy 2:5 (Jesus, the one and only mediator); Proverbs 1:7 (the importance of knowledge); 1 Timothy 4:1 (Warning concerning falling away); and Proverbs 3:5-6 (trusting in the LORD); 1 Timothy 6:20-21 (guarding what has been entrusted to us, and recognizing false knowledge)

“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.” 

1 Timothy 1:15 (NASB)

“For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.” 

1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NASB)

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Proverbs 1:7 (NASB)

“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons”

1 Timothy 4:1 (NASB)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” 

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB)

“O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”— which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith.”

1 Timothy 6:20-21 (NASB)

Please continue to join us as we read and study the Bible as part of our Christian Apologetics’ class each week! Next week we start a study in the book of Genesis!

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in!  Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

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Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15