false godliness

Posted on May 14, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

20220514

Photo by Victor Freitas on Pexels.com

false godliness

1 Timothy 4:1-5 (JDV)

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Breath explicitly says that in later seasons some will withdraw from the faith, paying attention to deceitful breaths and the teachings of demons,

1 Timothy 4:2 through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared

1 Timothy 4:3 preventing marriage and demanding abstinence from foods that God created to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth.

1 Timothy 4:4 You see, anything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,

1 Timothy 4:5 since it is made sacred by the word of God and by prayer.

false godliness

Paul predicted that within the visible church there would emerge false teachers, and that they would be recognized by their emphasis on false godliness. This is the type of godliness that focuses on the externals, but never leads people to new hearts. These false teachers will teach that to be truly godly, you must forsake normal life — abstain from foods and marriage.

False godliness seeks to be different by following human disciplines in order to make oneself better. True godliness pursues something else.

LORD, help us to escape the temptation to pursue self-made godliness.

bbjv - 1

Posted in heresies, legalism | Tagged | Leave a comment

supernatural godliness

Posted on May 13, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

20220513

Photo by Arvid Knutsen on Pexels.com

supernatural godliness

1 Timothy 3:14-16 (JDV)

1 Timothy 3:14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you in a short time.

1 Timothy 3:15 But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the congregation of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

1 Timothy 3:16 And most certainly, the mystery of godliness is great: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Breath,1 seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

supernatural godliness

A mystery is a person or event that can only be explained with reference to the supernatural. Jesus is such a mystery. His congregation is God’s household — God’s family on earth. We have been tasked with declaring that mystery to the nations.

Our conduct is how we win an audience with the nations in order to fulfill that mission. We must display godliness in our natural lives in order to draw attention to his supernatural display of godliness.

LORD, give us the courage to conduct ourselves with dignity so that the world knows that what we say about you is true.

1 πνεῦμα = breath. 1 Timothy 3:16; 4:1.

bbjv - 1

Posted in holiness, witness | Tagged | Leave a comment

three schools for deacons

Posted on May 12, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

20220512

Photo by Max Fischer on Pexels.com

three schools for deacons

1 Timothy 3:8-13 (JDV)

1 Timothy 3:8 Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not insincere, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money,

1 Timothy 3:9 holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

1 Timothy 3:10 They must also be evaluated1 first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons.

1 Timothy 3:11 Wives, too, must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything.

1 Timothy 3:12 Deacons are to be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently.

1 Timothy 3:13 For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

three schools for deacons

It is clear from this set of qualifications that Paul set the standards high for congregational leadership. But absent from this list is any sort of academic qualification. Timothy was establishing new congregations and there would not have been time to send people to school, even if there were Bible colleges and seminaries to send them to.

Yet, there were three schools every deacon had to have passed through.

One school that every deacon had to do well at was the school of family life. Our relationships and proven leadership at home are a major source of our leader evaluation.

Another school that plays a key role in church leader evaluation is the school of personal discipline. People who cannot control what they eat and drink will prove to lack discipline in other areas as well.

A third school that deacons will have need of a passing grade in is the school of faith in the gospel. They must not only hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience, they must also be able to proclaim that mystery with great boldness.

1δοκιμάζω = evaluate.

bbjv - 1

Posted in leadership | Tagged | Leave a comment

out-front overseers

Posted on May 11, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

20220511

Photo by Miguel u00c1. Padriu00f1u00e1n on Pexels.com

out-front overseers

1 Timothy 3:1-7 (JDV)

1 Timothy 3:1 This saying is reliable: “If anyone aims at being an overseer, he desires a noble achievement.”

1 Timothy 3:2 That is why an overseer must be blameless,1 the husband of one wife, moderate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, competent to teach,

1 Timothy 3:3 not addicted to wine, not a bully but tolerant, not belligerant, not loving silver.

1 Timothy 3:4 He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with every dignity.

1 Timothy 3:5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s congregation?)2

1 Timothy 3:6 He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil.

1 Timothy 3:7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s trap.

out-front overseers

Timothy had been left in Ephesus for the purpose of developing and appointing leaders for the congregation. These leaders apparently were not called pastors. That term is more popular in church leadership today than it was then. Those who managed local congregations were overseers, and they were assisted by deacons.

Their essential qualifications were:

  1. They must have solid marriages,
  2. They must be able to control their (adult) children,
  3. They must have personal self-control,
  4. They must maintain a good reputation,
  5. They must have proved themselves by experience.

The leaders are out-front. They reflect the character of the organization. Special care must be taken to provide for leaders who reflect the standards set by the LORD. His reputation is at stake.

LORD,  may we be careful to reflect your godliness in all that we do. May we be wise enough to choose leaders who will honor you with their behavior.

1 ἀνεπίλημπτος = blameless. 1 Timothy 3:2; 5:7; 6:14.

2ἐκκλησία = congregation. 1 Timothy 3:5, 15; 5:16.

bbjv - 1

Posted in leadership | Tagged | 1 Comment

submitting to quiet discipleship

Posted on May 10, 2022 by Jefferson Vann
Photo by Hannah Stevens on Pexels.com

20220510

submitting to quiet discipleship

1 Timothy 2:11-15 (JDV)

1 Timothy 2:11 A wife should be discipled1 quietly with full submission.

1 Timothy 2:12 I do not allow a wife to teach or to have authority over a husband; instead, she is to remain quiet.

1 Timothy 2:13 You see, Adam was formed first, then Eve.

1 Timothy 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the wife was deceived and overstepped.2

1 Timothy 2:15 But she will be rescued through childbearing, if they stay in faith, care, and devotion, with good judgment.

submitting to quiet discipleship

In the strongly patriarchal world Paul lived in, he had to make concessions to male domination, and this passage is certainly an example of such a concession. He discourages Christian wives from dominating their husbands. Instead, he encourages them to submit to being discipled quietly.

As an example of this, he points out how Eve had to be rescued from her mistake, and through God’s grace received forgiveness.

His objective is not “putting women in their place” but keeping the culture open to the gospel. Although he taught that in Christ, gender differences do not matter (Galatians 3:28), he knew that unbelievers would be looking for opportunities to reject the gospel. So, he encouraged Christian wives to voluntarily submit to quiet discipleship rather than showing off their freedom in Christ.

There are some cultures on the planet today where Christian wives should practice the same thing. But, hopefully, we will all soon outgrow the need to concede to patriarchalism. God has no sexual preference. We are all one in Christ.

______________________

1 μανθάνω = be discipled. 1 Timothy 2:11; 5:4, 13.

2παράβασις = overstep.

bbjv - 1

Posted in discipleship, submission | Tagged | Leave a comment

praying in public

Posted on May 9, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

20220509

Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com

praying in public

1 Timothy 2:8-10 (JDV)

1 Timothy 2:8 That is why I want the husbands1 in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.

1 Timothy 2:9 wives2 should pray in the very same way, dressing themselves in modest clothing, with decency and good judgment, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold, pearls, or expensive apparel,

1 Timothy 2:10 but with good achievements,3 as is proper for wives who profess to worship God.

praying in public

Paul’s instruction here was not so much about gender roles, but about setting a good example in public as Christians. He had just told Timothy that he should be regularly praying for political leaders, and now he is saying that the public worship of Christian couples should set a good example for everyone — including those leaders.

When magistrates and governors see Christian husbands praying without anger or argument, they are more likely to give them justice. When they see Christian wives praying with modest and sensible clothing, they will respect them.

Paul was not arguing against gender equality here. He was instructing both husbands and wives to display their faith in Christ in the public without shaming the name of Christ by drawing attention to themselves. Both husbands and wives are equally responsible to live up to their profession in public.

________

1 ἀνήρ = husband (when compared to wife). 1 Timothy 2:8, 12; 3:2, 12; 5:9.

2 γυνή = wife (when compared to husband). 1 Timothy 2:9-12, 14; 3:2, 11-12; 5:9.

3ἔργον = achievement. 1 Timothy 2:10; 3:1; 5:10, 25; 6:18.

bbjv - 1

Posted in equality, prayer | Tagged | Leave a comment

a ransom for all

Posted on May 8, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

20220508

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

a ransom for all

1 Timothy 2:5-7 (JDV)

1 Timothy 2:5 You see, there is one God and one mediator between God and humans, the human Christ Jesus,

1 Timothy 2:6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper season.1

1 Timothy 2:7 I was appointed a herald for this, a missionary (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

a ransom for all

Paul had just encouraged Timothy to keep on fighting for the faith, but now he says that Christ is the one mediator and he gave himself as a ransom for all. This cannot mean that everybody will be saved. If that were the case, there would be no reason to keep fighting for the faith. If all will be saved, no fight is necessary.

So, why does Paul mention that Christ is the one ransom for all? He means both Jew and Gentile. The Christian faith insists that Jesus is the only mediator. His death on the cross was a sacrifice sufficient to save everyone. But a sacrifice is only efficient if it is presented in faith by a believer.

LORD, thank you for Jesus, our one mediator who gave himself as a ransom for all..

1καιρός = season. 1 Timothy 2:6; 4:1; 6:15.

bbjv - 1

Posted in atonement, Jesus Christ, the cross | Tagged | Leave a comment

how to start fighting

Posted on May 7, 2022 by Jefferson Vann
Photo by Ivan Samkov on Pexels.com

how to start fighting

20220507

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (JDV)

1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for every human,1

1 Timothy 2:2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

1 Timothy 2:3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior,

1 Timothy 2:4 who wants every human to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

how to start fighting

Paul had just instructed Timothy to fight the good fight. Now, he gives the first step in doing that. For the world, learning to fight means getting yourself stronger, tougher, and smarter. But the first preparation step is different in spiritual warfare.

For Timothy (and us) starting to fight happens by praying. It is a specific type of praying. It is praying for the people in authority over us. Paul instructs Timothy to pray for his magistrates, governors, and emperor.

I pray for my president, governor and local leaders daily, and also my lawmakers and court judges. I pray for them regardless of the political party they might represent. The goal of this prayer is not for them to see my way of thinking. It is to give them wisdom to make the kind of decisions that will result in a peaceful political and cultural atmosphere — one conducive of discipleship and evangelism.

LORD, turn our leaders to making and defending policies which open the door for the gospel and biblical truth. Turn our hearts to praying for them.

1ἄνθρωπος = human. 1 Timothy 2:1, 4-5; 4:10; 5:24; 6:5, 9, 11, 16.

bbjv - 1

Posted in leadership, prayer, spiritual warfare | Tagged | Leave a comment

Hymenaeus and Alexander

Posted on May 6, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

20220506

1 Timothy 1:18-20 (JDV)

1 Timothy 1:18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies previously made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the good fight,

1 Timothy 1:19 having faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and have shipwrecked their faith.

1 Timothy 1:20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan, so that they may be taught not to malign1 God.

Whoever Hymenaeus and Alexander were, it is pretty clear that they had once professed faith in Christ, but changed their mind. Now they were maligning God. They had reversed course. Paul encouraged Timothy to keep fighting the good fight.

Theologically, I struggle with the notion that a human being who has a genuine faith in God can choose to give it up. I believe true faith comes from God. I don’t think God leaves such a matter of eternal importance up to fickle human free will.

Yet, these two have obviously chosen to defect. I am encouraged, though, that Paul had not written these two defectors off completely. Instead, he has delivered them to Satan. In other words, he has left them to the results of their choice. If they are going to reject Christ, they by default are going to be in Satan’s camp. Paul probably thought that these two would soon learn their lesson, and would reverse course once again.

Where are you in this picture? Are you still fighting the fight like Timothy, or have you reversed course like these two God-maligners? Or, maybe you are still considering whether Christ is worth your allegiance. You cannot sideline this choice. You are either fighting the fight, or you have already lost it.

LORD, give us all the courage to choose Christ, and keep fighting that fight until the end

_______________________________

1 βλασφημέω = malign. 1 Timothy 1:20; 6:1.

bbjv - 1

Posted in commitment, conflict, faith, rebellion | Tagged | Leave a comment

believing for permanent life

Posted on May 5, 2022 by Jefferson Vann
Photo by Patricia McCarty on Pexels.com

20220505

believing for permanent life

1 Timothy 1:15-17 (JDV)

1 Timothy 1:15 This saying is reliable and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the first of them.
1 Timothy 1:16 But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the first of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in him for permanent life.
1 Timothy 1:17 Now to the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ages and ages. Amen.

believing for permanent life

This is one of the finest summaries of the Christian faith. Note how Paul expresses the essence of his faith in these words:

His faith was in the work of Jesus Christ, not his own. He knew that neither he nor anyone else could have been saved unless Christ Jesus came into the world to save them. He considered himself the first in line for hell, because he had been the first of sinners.

His faith was in the mercy of God. Dr. John Roller describes mercy as “God’s kindness in not giving us the things that we deserve.” We deserve destruction in hell, but his mercy saves us from that fate — if we believe.

He trusted the immortal God to raise him to a permanent life. He did not expect to keep living after he died. He did not have that permanent life yet. But he trusted Christ, who promised to raise the dead “at the last day” (John 6:39,40,44; 11:24).

Are you believing for permanent life? Don’t let this temporary life be all there is for you. Believe in Christ and be raised to life again — permanently.

LORD, draw people to yourself by these words, so that they may live again, and permanently.

Posted in eternal life, faith | Tagged | Leave a comment