Mr. D's Notes on I Timothy
Rev. Stanley L. Derickson Ph.D.
Copyright 2000

CHAPTER 32

THE SEQUENTIAL LIFE

When the Lord started leading us into Bible college, one of the men that He used in a mighty way was a man that was the business manager of the first College I attended.

He was a great encouragement to me on a personal level, and was very kind and encouraging to us as a couple. He was also a member of our church so we fellowshipped together many times.

The Lord used his financial expertise to expand the college campus and to bring in many buildings for remodeling and use.

He later resigned and took a position with a large Bible camp in the Midwest where the Lord used him to assist many people in setting up their finances and wills to the best benefit. He was also instrumental in expanding the ministry of the camp in a mighty way.

This man lived this passage. He took those material things that God entrusted him with and set aside all else to the betterment of the Lord and His ministries.

He kept the charge given him - minister - in the area of finance.

20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane [and] vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace [be] with thee. Amen.

We will look at KEEP in verse twenty a, AVOID WILL HELP KEEP in verse twenty b and twenty-one a, and GRACE WILL HELP AVOID in verse twenty one b.

I. KEEP

Verse 20 a: O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust

The verse speaks to teaching, but within the book’s context it relates to position of ministry as well in my mind.

A final charge to Timothy from Paul to keep what has been committed to him to do in his ministry. A final encouragement to avoid babblings and disputes. The science that is mentioned is the term normally translated knowledge thus "so called” knowledgeable, or I suspect arguments against truth. The message is clear - beware of false knowledge as it leads you away from truth.

"O Timothy" - in 6.11 Paul uses the phrase "O man of God" and here O Timothy. The phrase to me speaks of great emotion in Paul's mind. He is concerned with the man Timothy and his walk with God. How great it must have been for Timothy to know of Paul's concern for him.

Paul pleads with Timothy to keep those things that God has committed to him to do. In Timothy's case it was the church or group of believers at Ephesus and a good knowledge of doctrine to commit to them.

The thought of "keep" is interesting. It is a banking term or a term to depict setting something aside in safety - as in an attic. Might this relate to Paul's earlier thoughts of investing in things heavenly?

I assume that Paul was speaking of Timothy's spiritual knowledge and gifts. II Timothy 2.2 reinforces the thought of this text. Paul is encouraging Timothy to do the job with the preparation that he has been given.

II Timothy 2.2 "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." This passage is really the crux of Paul's life, and it ought to be the crux of our own lives - teaching others that they might teach others - discipleship!

That is what the Great commission is all about!

What has God committed to you? How are you doing with the trust that He has placed in you?

Each has spiritual gifts for use in the local assembly. Are you using yours? Each has spiritual knowledge to share with others. Are you using yours?

II. AVOID WILL HELP KEEP

Verse 20 b-21 a: avoiding profane [and] vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith.

Man tends to think himself to be very smart.

1. Cosmology seeks to explain creation.
2. Philosophy seeks to explain life.
3. Theology seeks to explain God.
4. Psychology seeks to explain the mind.

Recently a new ology has shown up in stores. It is "frameology" - it is a picture frame company. Not sure what it seeks to explain other than how your money transfers from your pocket to theirs though.

Anyway, the Hubble telescope has been finding things that are shattering many of the old beliefs of science. Scientists are rehashing their beliefs and theories to reflect the reality that they are finding of late. Many know they were wrong for years.

That must be disheartening to know "truth" and find out it was false!

The question is, are they going to have to continue this process with each new invention. Science or science so called, has given us the theory of evolution. By the way do you know how many evolutionists does it take to change a light bulb? A: None. They just sit and wait for the old bulb to change into a laser beam.

THREE MONKEYS

Three monkeys sat in a coconut tree, Discussing things that are said to be; Said one to the other, "Now listen you two, There's a certain rumor that can't be true: That man descended from our noble race, The very idea is a disgrace!

"No monkey ever deserted his wife, Starved her babies, and ruined her life; And you've never known a mother monk, To leave her babies with others to bunk, Or pass them on from one to the other, Till they scarcely know who is their mother.

"And another thing you'll never see, A monk build a fence round a coconut tree, And let the coconuts go to waste, Forbidding all other monks to taste; Why, if I put a fence around a tree, Starvation will force you to steal from me!

"Here's another thing a monk won't do: Go out at night and get in a stew, Or use a gun, a club or a knife, To take some other monkey's life! Yes, man descended, the wicked cuss, But, brother, he didn't descend from us!"

Christian leaders basically put evolution to rest in the sixties. Few could stand against the thinking of believers on the subject. There were many evolutionists that had made comments showing their own doubt in their own system.

Then in the 80-90's area Carl Sagan exploded onto the scene with his BIIILLLIIIOOONNNSSS AND BIILLLLLIIIOOONNSSS OOOFF YEEEAARRSS AGO. What a great communicator he was! PBS hurled his message far and wide as did the publishing world, and again evolution was in the forefront as "the" truth of science for our day.

Paul told Timothy to avoid oppositions of science falsely so called! Don't waste your time with this crazy stuff was Paul's evaluation. It is just going to come around again and again as often as lost man's imagination runs wild.

The point? The Bible has always - through all time been the source of truth on all of these subjects, and man has thumbed his nose at it!

III. GRACE WILL HELP AVOID

Verses 21 b: "Grace [be] with thee. Amen."

Just what does "grace be with thee" mean? By grace we are saved. By grace we continue to live, but what does this closing mean?

The term grace has many shades of meaning. Thayer mentions the following.
"that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech 2) good will, loving-kindness, favour 2a) of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues 3) what is due to grace 3a) the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace 3b) the token or proof of grace, benefit 3b1) a gift of grace 3b2) benefit, bounty 4) thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward"

Some possible meanings:

1. Paul is just giving a greeting of the day - saying that he wills a favorable life for Timothy - have a good day - if you will. This may be.

2. Paul had some ability to offer grace as an apostle. I see no indication of this in the Word, nor would it make sense, since grace extends from God.

3. Actually the term “thee” is plural, so Paul is most likely addressing the other elders or leaders if not the entire church at Ephesus. This might assist us in determining the meaning. Grace is an item that is needed in any church.

We need to treat one another as if we realize we are all products of grace.
We need to treat our leaders as if we hold them in favor.
Leaders need to treat the congregation as if they hold them in favor.
We all need to be gracious to one another at all times.

There needs to be a mutual respect by all. Leaders must respect the members. The members must respect the leaders. Both must realize that Christ is the head of the church and not them.

I would think this is a prayer of sorts or benediction on the church leaders and the people at Ephesus.

A very nice have a good day request to the Father might be the thought of it.

There is nothing exceptionally special about the phrase. Paul uses it in Titus in his closing (Titus 3.15). Indeed, Paul mentions "all" in his closing to Titus.

SOME THINGS TO FLEE FROM THAT ARE MENTIONED IN I Timothy:

1.3 other doctrine or false doctrine
1.4 fables and endless genealogies - fiction
1.6 vain jangling
1.9,10 whole list of wrong doers
2.8 wrath and doubting
2.12 women leaders in the church
3.2 multiple marriages
3.3 wine, violence, greed, brawling, covetousness
3.45, unruly children
3.6 pride
3.8-12 repeat some of the above
3.11 slanderousness
4.1 seducing spirits, doctrines of demons, lies
4.7 profane and old wives fables
4.14 idleness of gift
5.1 rebuking of elders
5.8 ignoring needs of a widow in family
5.12 don't leave first love
5.13 gossiping
5.22 sudden approval of Christian workers
6.4 questions and disputes on wrong or false teaching
6.10 love of money
6.17 high-mindedness, trust in riches
6.20 profane and vain babblings, false knowledge

COMMANDS FROM I TIMOTHY

1.3 no other doctrine
1.4 don't heed fables and genealogies
1.18 war a good warfare.
1.19 holding faith and good conscience
2.1 pray for all men
2.2 pray for leaders
2.8 pray
2.9 women dress properly (modestly)
2.11 women to learn silently
2.12 no women usurping authority.
3. qualifications for leadership
blameless
husband of one wife
temperate soberminded
good behavior
hospitable
teacher
not given to wine
not violent
not greedy of filthy lucre
patient
not a brawler
not covetous
rulers at home
not a novice
have good report with unsaved
grave
not double tongued
not given to wine
not greedy of filthy lucre
holding mystery of faith
proven
blameless
wives - grave, not slanderers, soberminded, faithful in all things
4.4 all creation is good and to be received with thanksgiving
4.7 refuse wives fables - exercise unto godliness
4.12 let no man despise thy youth - be an example
4.13 give attendance to reading, exhortation, doctrine
4.14 don't neglect gift
4.15 meditate on these things
4.16 continue in doctrine
5.1 exhort, don't rebuke church members
5.3 honor widows
5.9 don't support younger widows
5.14 young widows remarry
5.16 support your family's widows.
5.17,18 support elders
5.19 receive accusation only before 2 or 3 witnesses
5.20 rebuke elders before all if in sin
5.21 don't be partial in discipline in church
5.22 lay hands quickly on no man
6.1 honor masters
6.11 follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness
6.12 fight the good fight
6.17 charge the rich not to be high-minded not trust uncertain riches, trust God, do good works, ready to distribute, willing to share
6.20 avoid vain babblings

If we took only the things we are told not to do and begin work on these in our lives we would be busy for some time. Then we have all of the commandments. Only six chapters and we have at least 30 condemnations and at least 56 commands.

DARE ANY CHRISTIAN SAY I HAVE NOTHING TO DO IN MY SPIRITUAL LIFE?

"Keep that which is committed" - this list has been committed to each of us. God is trusting that we keep these truths. Read through this list and see if you can't improve your spiritual life in some manner!

Read through the list and see how your church stands up to the standard set forth.