Wednesday, July 23 – 1 Timothy 3, 4

1. Why does Paul advise that a bishop should not be a recent convert? (1 Timothy 3:6)

2. What is the “mystery of godliness”? (1 Timothy 3:16)

3. What has the Spirit expressly said about the last days? (1 Timothy 4:1)

Paul met Timothy in Lystra during one of his journeys through the Roman province of Asia, now called Turkey. At that time, Timothy was a young man. His mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, were Jewish women who converted to the Christian faith along with Timothy through Paul’s missionary work. Timothy’s father was Greek (see Acts 16:1).

It seems that Timothy’s parents were either separated or that his father had passed away, and by this time, Eunice might have been a single mother.

Paul grew very fond of this young man, who became one of his most trusted disciples and coworkers. From the start, Paul and the church saw Timothy’s potential for God’s work and included him in missionary journeys. Timothy learned quickly and was later sent on important pastoral missions to cities like Thessalonica, Corinth, and Ephesus. By the time of Paul’s first letter, Timothy was serving as the pastor of the church in Ephesus.

In 1 Timothy 3, Paul gives instructions about bishops and deacons, two crucial church offices. The term “bishop” is the same as “elder.” The two Greek words used, episkopē (translated as “bishop”) and presbúteros (translated as “elder”), are used interchangeably in the New Testament. Both refer to the lay leaders of the churches. Paul’s description of the qualifications for these two roles is noble and meaningful, embodying a high standard to aim for.

The word “deacon” means “minister.” Therefore, a deacon is called to serve and minister. There were also women serving as deaconesses in Ephesus. “Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.” (1 Timothy 3:11, NKJV)

I particularly love these words: “For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
(1 Timothy 3:13, NKJV). Amen! What a privilege it is to be a deacon or minister of God!

Paul hoped to visit Timothy soon in Ephesus. Meanwhile, he wrote to instruct him on how he should conduct himself “in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:15, NKJV)

Then Paul quotes the words of a well-known Christian hymn of his time as an expression of the truth upheld by the church:

“God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory.”
(1 Timothy 3:16, NKJV)

What a beautiful hymn! How wonderful it would be if we could sing its music!

In 1 Timothy 4, Paul aims to strengthen the young minister. He urges Timothy to stay alert against apostasy. The enemy tries to confuse and slow down the church’s progress with false teachings.

About the prohibition against marriage, the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary explains:

“Paul warns against the fanatical concepts introduced into Christianity by the Gnostics (see Vol. VI, pp. 56-59) and later perpetuated by the monastic system. The Gnostics believed that all matter was evil, and that all passions of the material body should be suppressed and eradicated. According to this theory, marriage was a concession to the lusts of the flesh, and therefore sinful. Paul makes it clear that marriage is an institution of divine origin, and that to oppose it would be to attack the infinite wisdom and gracious purposes of God (see on 1 Cor. 7:1–4; Heb. 13:4).” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, comment on 1 Tim. 4:3

Regarding the mention of food restrictions, the SDA Bible Commentary states: “Reference here is to the ascetic influences and tendencies that were spreading in the church. The adherents of this practice considered it spiritually desirable, for ceremonial and ritual reasons, to prohibit entirely the use of certain foods. The warning may also include the forbidding of certain foods on particular religious days.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, comment on 1 Tim. 4:3

What beautiful advice from the seasoned apostle to the young minister! Read these words carefully, for they are a source of joy and are very useful for ministers and all believers.

“Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” (1 Timothy 4:13–16, NKJV)

I pray that the Lord blesses you with a truly blessed day.