1 Timothy by James Rochford (2022)

Although recent scholars have raised questions of the authorship of 1 Timothy, there is excellent evidence for Paul having written this pastoral epistle to his prot?g? Timothy. Paul instructs Timothy to remain in Ephesus and lead the church there to stop teaching strange doctrines and don't waste time with peripheral distractions. Instead, Timothy is to teach them to love from a pure heart and good conscience and sincere faith.

As Paul continues to instruct Timothy, he reminds him that the Law is good if used lawfully. The Law is for the lawless not for the righteous. Paul, the foremost of sinners, found mercy and grace in Jesus Christ. Recognizing his unrighteousness, he gives glory and honor to God who so freely forgave him and in love, gave him his ministry of reconciliation.

The traditional interpretation of this passage that says women cannot teach or lead in the church has major hermeneutical, empirical and historical problems. In Ephesus there is evidence proto-gnostic heresy was taking hold especially in the women. Women were spreading the myth that Eve actually came first and brought forth Adam. The Greek word for "exercise authority" also can mean "be the originator of" depending upon the context. The context was the creation order! Adam came before Eve. Paul was not forbidding women to teach or lead but he was forbidding them to teach that woman came before man.

Requirements for leadership in the Christian church are not dependent upon charismatic personality, brilliant thinking, or phenomenal gifting. Fortunately, it is based on things under everyone's control; their character. The essentials of leadership are having good character, being a hard worker, and being trustworthy. People like to follow people with these qualities. All of these things can be learned!

After affirming that aspiring to the office overseer in the church is a fine work, Paul proceeds to list the characteristics required of one seeking to lead. He distinguishes between elder and deacon positions, with eldership having higher requirements. The requirements relate more to good character than skillfulness or talent. The church is always in need of men and women of good character and beyond reproach to step up to lead. Those that do "obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence..." Would you not want this for your life?

Paul gives Timothy six ways to lead a tough church undergoing attack by false teachers who promote doctrines of demons. Timothy is directed: to stay well-fed by the Word, to work hard, to become what he wants to see, to lead with his Bible, to exploit the spiritual gift in him, and to trust that God will use him. God is not a harsh task-master. He will work on one area needing improvement at a time. What is one area you need to grow in?

Paul gives Timothy principles for giving financial aid to those in need in the church and outside the church. Poverty is very complicated, but God is liberating people across the globe from physical, medical, educational, and spiritual poverty. As God liberates believers, He calls us to let Him lead us in liberating our finances for Him to bless others around the world.

Materialism is deceiving because it promises happiness but delivers depression. It promises fulfillment but leaves you feeling empty. Studies show again and again that attaining the one's highest material goals never satisfies. The Bible has a solution. God instructs those who want to be rich to invest in eternal things. Develop critical thinking skills to combat the lies of this world, practice gratitude for what you do have, think about your end of life and what you want to leave behind, and become a generous giver.