Reference: Timothy, The First Epistle To
Fausets
FIRST EPISTLE. Its authenticity as Paul's writing, and its canonical authority as inspired, were universally recognized by the early church with the solitary exception of the Gnostic Marcion. 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy are in the Peshito Syriac of the second century. The Muratorian Fragment on the canon in the same century acknowledges them. The Pastoral Epistles, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus, have a mutual resemblance. Irenaeus (adv. Haeres. i. and iii. 3,. section 3-4; 4:16, section 3; 2:14, section 8; 3:11, section 1; 1:16, section 3) quotes 1Ti 1:4,9; 6:20; 2Ti 4:9-21; Tit 3:10. Clement of Alex. (Strom. 2:383, 457; 3:534, 536; 1:350) quotes 1Ti 4; 20/type/goodspeed'>6:20-21,2 Timothy as to deaconesses; Tit 1:12. Tertullian (de praescriptione Haereticorum, 25 and 6) quotes 1Ti 1:18; 6:13,20; 2Ti 1:14; 2:2; Tit 3:10-11; and adv. Marcion, Scorp. 13, compare 2Ti 4:6.
Eusebius includes the two epistles to Timothy and Titus in "the universally acknowledged Scriptures." Theophilus of Antioch (ad Autolycum 3:14) quotes 1Ti 2:1-2; Tit 3:1. Caius (in Eusebius' Ecclesiastes Hist. vi. 20) recognizes their authenticity. Clement of Rome (First Epistle to Cor. 29) quotes 1Ti 2:8. Ignatius in the second century (epistle to Polycarp 6) alludes to 2Ti 2:4. Polycarp in the same century (Epistle to Philipp. 4-5) alludes to 1Ti 6:7,10; 2Ti 2:4,11-12; and (in chapter 9) to 2Ti 4:10. Hegesippus, in the end of second century (in Eusebius, Ecc. Hist. iii. 32), alludes to 1Ti 6:3,20. Athenagoras at the same period alludes to 1Ti 6:16.
Heresies opposed in the Pastoral Epistles. Ascetic Judaism and legalism (1Ti 1:7; Tit 1:10,14; 3:9) on the one hand, and incipient gnosticism on the other (1Ti 1:4), of which the theory that a twofold principle existed from the beginning, evil as well as good, appears in germ, 1Ti 4:3, etc. In 1Ti 6:20 the term gnosis, "science," itself occurs. Another Gnostic error, "that the resurrection is past," is noticed (2Ti 2:17-18; compare 1Co 15:12-33). The Judaism herein refuted is not that controverted in the earlier epistles, namely, that which joined the law with faith in Christ, for justification. The intermediate phase appears in epistle to Colossians (Colossians 2), namely, that which superadded ascetical will worship and angel worship to Judaism. In the epistle to Philippians (Php 3:2,18-19) the further stage appears, immoral practice accompanying false doctrine as to the resurrection. The pastoral epistles - 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus - exhibit the mattered godlessness which followed superstition as superstition had followed legalism.
Not knowing the true use of "the law" (1Ti 1:7-8) the false teachers "put away good conscience," as well as "the faith" (1Ti 1:19; 4:2), "spoke lies in hypocrisy, corrupt in mind," regarded "piety as a means of gain" (1Ti 6:5; Tit 1:11); "overthrew the faith" by heresies "eating as a canker, saying the resurrection is past, leading captive silly women, ever learning yet never knowing the truth, reprobate as Jannes and Jambres (2Ti 3:6-8), defiled, unbelieving, professing to know God but in works denying Him, abominable, disobedient, reprobate" (Tit 1:15-16). The universal epistles of John (1Jo 2:18-23; 4:1,3; 2Jo 1:7,11; 3Jo 1:9-10), Jude, and Peter (2Pe 2), and to the Hebrew (Heb 6:4-8) present the same features. This proves the later date of Paul's pastoral epistles. The Gnosticism opposed is not the anti-Judaic later Gnosticism which followed the overthrow of the Jerusalem temple worship, but the earlier phase which amalgamated with Judaism oriental and Greek elements.
Directions in the Pastoral Epistles as to church ministers and officers. The apostle naturally directs Timothy, the church president for the time being at Ephesus, and Titus at Crete, concerning "bishop-elders and deacons," in order to secure due administration of the church at a time when heresies were springing up and when he must soon depart this life. He shows the same anxiety in his address to the elders of the same city Ephesus earlier (Ac 20:21-30). The presbyterate and diaconate existed long before (Ac 6:8; 11:30; 14:23). Paul's directions are not as to their appointment then first, but as to the due ordination and moral qualifications of elders and deacons thenceforth, according as vacancies might occur. Timothy and Titus exercised the same power in ordaining elders in Ephesus and Crete as Paul had in the Gentile churches in general (2Co 11:28).
Unique phrases and modes of thought in the Pastoral Epistles. The difference of subject and of circumstances of those addressed, and those spoken of, as compared with Paul's other epistles, accounts for these. They partly occur in Galatians also, where as here he with characteristic warmth controverts the perverters of the truth: 1Ti 2:6; Tit 2:4, "gave Himself for us," with Ga 1:4; 1Ti 1:17; 2Ti 4:18, "forever and ever," with Ga 1:5; 1Ti 5:21; 6:13; 2Ti 2:14; 4:22 with Ga 1:20; "a pillar," 1Ti 3:15, with Ga 2:9; "mediator," 1Ti 2:5, with Ga 3:20; 1Ti 2:6; 6:15; Tit 1:3, with Ga 6:9, "in due season." Fifty special phrases occur, e.g. "the faithful saying" (1Ti 1:15), "sound," "seared" (1Ti 4:2,7), "old wives' fables," "slow bellies" (Tit 1:12). Paul's writing with his own hand, instead of by an amanuensis, as he did to Galatians and Philemon, accounts for the more concise, abrupt, and forcible style and phraseology.
TIME OF WRITING: First Epistle to Timothy. Soon after Paul's leaving Ephesus for Macedon (1Ti 1:3). The object of leaving Timothy at Ephesus was primarily to restrain the false teachers (1Ti 1:3), not to organize the church for the first time. The institution for church widows implies a settled organization. Scandals occurring after the original institution rendered directions as to the existing ministry needful. The similarity in style, subject, and state of the church, of the second epistle to Timothy (written certainly just before Paul's death) with the first epistle, implies that the date of the latter is not much prior to that of the second. The mention of Timothy's "youth" (1Ti 4:12) is not inconsistent with a late date; he was "young" not absolutely but as compared with "Paul the aged" (Phm 1:9), and with some of the elders whom he had to superintend; probably 34 or 35, compare 1Ti 5:1.
As to Ac 20:25, "all" the Ephesian elders called to Miletus "never saw Paul's face" afterward; Paul "knew" this by inspiration; but this assertion of his is compatible with his visiting Ephesus again (1Ti 1:3; 2Ti 1:18; 4:20). Being at Miletum, so near Ephesus, after his first Roman imprisonment, he would be sure to visit Ephesus. In 1Ti 3:14 Paul says "I write, hoping to come unto thee shortly"; but on the earlier occasion of his passing from Ephesus to Macedon he had planned to spend the summer in Macedon and the winter in Corinth (1Co 16:6). Nor did Paul leave Timothy then as now (1Ti 1:3) at Ephesus, but sent him to Macedon (Ac 19:22). Paul in his address to the Ephesian elders (Ac 20:29-30) prophesies the rise of false teachers; in his epistle to the Ephesians from Rome at his first imprisonment he does not notice the Judaeo-Gnostic errors as yet; but in 1 Timothy he notices them as then actually prevailing.
PLACE OF WRITING: First Epistle to Timothy. Paul's using "went" not "came," "when I went (poreuomenos) into Macedonia" (1Ti 1:3), implies he was not there when he wrote the First Epistle to Timothy. Wherever he was he was uncertain how long he might be detained from coming to Ephesus to Timothy (1Ti 3:14-15). Corinth may have been the place. Between it and Ephesus communication was easy; his course on former occasions was from Macedon to Corinth (Acts 17-18). Coincidences occur between 1Ti 2:11-14 and 1Co 14:40 as to women being silent in church; 1Ti 5:17-18 and 1Co 9:8-10 as to ministers' maintenance, on the law's maxim not to muzzle the ox treading the grain; and 1Ti 5:19-20 and 2Co 13:1-4 as to charges against elders before witnesses. In the very place where these directions had been already enforced Paul naturally reproduces them in his First Epistle to Timothy.
DESIGN.
(1) To direct Timothy to restrain false teachers from teaching aught different from the gospel (1Ti 1:3,20; Re 2:1-6).
(2) To g
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Stephen, greatly strengthened by God's favor, did remarkable signs and wonders among the people.
and this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
They appointed elders for them in each church, and with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
He sent two of his assistants, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed on for a while in Asia.
but earnestly urged Greeks as well as Jews to turn to God in repentance and to believe in our Lord Jesus. I am here now on my way to Jerusalem, for the Spirit compels me to go there, though I do not know what will happen to me there, read more. except that in every town I visit, the holy Spirit warns me that imprisonment and persecution are awaiting me. But my life does not matter, if I can only finish my race and do the service intrusted to me by the Lord Jesus, of declaring the good news of God's favor. Now I know perfectly well that none of you among whom I went about preaching the Kingdom of God will ever see my face again.
Now I know perfectly well that none of you among whom I went about preaching the Kingdom of God will ever see my face again. Therefore I declare to you today that I am not responsible for the blood of any of you, read more. for I have not shrunk from letting you know God's purpose without reserve. Take care of yourselves and of the whole flock, of which the holy Spirit has made you guardians, and be shepherds of the church of God, which he got at the cost of his own life. I know that after I am gone savage wolves will get in among you and will not spare the flock,
I know that after I am gone savage wolves will get in among you and will not spare the flock, and from your own number men will appear and teach perversions of the truth in order to draw the disciples away after them.
and from your own number men will appear and teach perversions of the truth in order to draw the disciples away after them.
Am I saying only what men say? Does not the Law say so too? For in the Law of Moses it reads, "You shall not muzzle an ox that is treading out the grain." Is it about the oxen that God is concerned? read more. Is he not clearly speaking in our interests? Of course this law was written in our interests, because the plowman ought to plow, and the thresher to thresh, in the expectation of sharing in the crop.
But let everything be done in a proper and orderly way.
Now if what we preach about Christ is that he was raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no such thing as a resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ was not raised, read more. and if Christ was not raised, there is nothing in our message; there is nothing in our faith either, and we are found guilty of misrepresenting God, for we have testified that he raised Christ, when he did not do it, if it is true that the dead are never raised. For if the dead are never raised, Christ was not raised; and if Christ was not raised, your faith is a delusion; you are still under the control of your sins. Yes, and those who have fallen asleep in trust in Christ have perished. If we have centered our hopes on Christ in this life, and that is all, we are the most pitiable people in the world. But the truth is, Christ was raised from the dead, the first to be raised of those who have fallen asleep. For since it was through a man that we have death, it is through a man also that we have the raising of the dead. For just as because of their relation to Adam all men die, so because of their relation to Christ they will all be brought to life again. But each in his own turn; Christ first, and then at Christ's coming those who belong to him. After that will come the end, when he will turn over the kingdom to God his Father, bringing to an end all other government, authority, and power, for he must retain the kingdom until he puts all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be overthrown will be death, for everything is to be reduced to subjection and put under Christ's feet. But when it says that everything is subject to him, he is evidently excepted who reduced it all to subjection to him. And when everything is reduced to subjection to him, then the Son himself will also become subject to him who has reduced everything to subjection to him, so that God may be everything to everyone. Otherwise, what do people mean by having themselves baptized on behalf of their dead? If the dead do not rise at all, why do they have themselves baptized on their behalf? Why do we ourselves run such risks every hour? By the very pride I take in you, brothers, through our union with Christ Jesus our Lord, I face death every day. From the human point of view, what good is it to me that I have fought wild animals here in Ephesus? If the dead do not rise at all, "Let us eat and drink, for we will be dead tomorrow!" Do not be misled. Bad company ruins character.
and I will probably stay some time with you, or even pass the winter, so that you may start me off for wherever I may be going.
And besides everything else, the thing that burdens me every day is my anxiety about all the churches.
This will be my third visit to you. Any charge must be sustained by the evidence of two or three witnesses. Those who have kept on in their old sins and all the rest I have warned, and I warn them now while I am still away, as I did on my second visit, that if I come back I will spare nobody??3 since you demand proof that Christ really speaks through me. He is not weak in dealing with you. On the contrary, right among you he exhibits his power.
Even if he was crucified through weakness, by the power of God he is alive. For we are weak as he was, but you will find that by the power of God we will be alive as he is.
who to save us from the present wicked world gave himself for our sins at the will of our God and Father. To him be glory forever and ever! Amen.
Let us not get tired of doing right, for at the proper time we shall reap, if we do not give out.
Look out for those dogs, those mischief-makers, with their amputation!
For there are many who live, as I have often told you, and tell you now with tears, like enemies of the cross of Christ. They are doomed to destruction: their appetites are their god; they glory in their shame; they are absorbed in earthly matters.
As I asked you to do when I was on my way to Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus in order to warn certain people there not to teach strange views
As I asked you to do when I was on my way to Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus in order to warn certain people there not to teach strange views
As I asked you to do when I was on my way to Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus in order to warn certain people there not to teach strange views
As I asked you to do when I was on my way to Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus in order to warn certain people there not to teach strange views
As I asked you to do when I was on my way to Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus in order to warn certain people there not to teach strange views
As I asked you to do when I was on my way to Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus in order to warn certain people there not to teach strange views nor to devote themselves to fictions and interminable pedigrees; such things lead to controversy instead of the divine system which operates through faith.
nor to devote themselves to fictions and interminable pedigrees; such things lead to controversy instead of the divine system which operates through faith.
They would like to be teachers of law although they do not understand the words they use or the matters they insist upon.
They would like to be teachers of law although they do not understand the words they use or the matters they insist upon. I agree that the Law is excellent??rovided it is legitimately used, read more. with the understanding that law is not intended for upright men but for the lawless and disorderly, the godless and irreligious, the irreverent and profane, men who kill their fathers or mothers, murderers,
It is a trustworthy saying, entitled to the fullest acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the foremost of them,
These are the instructions that I intrust to you, my son Timothy, and they are in accordance with the predictions made long ago about you. Fight the good fight with their aid, keeping hold of faith and a good conscience. For some people have let that go and have had their faith ruined, read more. like Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I turned over to Satan, to be taught not to blaspheme.
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for all men,
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for all men, for emperors and all who are in authority, so that we may live tranquil, quiet lives, with perfect piety and probity.
for emperors and all who are in authority, so that we may live tranquil, quiet lives, with perfect piety and probity. It is right to do this, and it pleases God our Savior, read more. who wants all men to be saved and to come to know the truth. For there is but one God, and one intermediary between God and men??he man Christ Jesus,
For there is but one God, and one intermediary between God and men??he man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men. This is what was testified to at the proper times,
who gave himself as a ransom for all men. This is what was testified to at the proper times,
I want the men everywhere to offer prayer, lifting to heaven hands that are holy, without any angry disputes.
Women must listen quietly in church and be perfectly submissive. I do not allow women to teach or to domineer over men; they must keep quiet. read more. For Adam was formed first, and then Eve; and it was not Adam who was deceived, it was the woman who was deluded and fell into sin.
I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing you all this so that if I am delayed, you may know how we are to conduct ourselves in the household of God, for it is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
so that if I am delayed, you may know how we are to conduct ourselves in the household of God, for it is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
through the pretensions of liars??en with seared consciences
through the pretensions of liars??en with seared consciences who forbid people to marry and insist on abstinence from certain kinds of food that God created for men who believe and understand the truth to enjoy and give thanks for.
But let worldly fictions and old wives' tales alone. Train yourself for the religious life.
Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set those who believe an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.
Never reprove an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men like brothers,
Elders who do their duties well should be considered as deserving twice as much as they get, particularly those who work at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, "You must not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain," and the workman deserves his wages. read more. Do not listen to an accusation made against an elder, unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. Those who are found guilty you must reprove publicly, as a warning to others.
Anyone who teaches different views and does not agree with the wholesome instruction which comes from our Lord Jesus Christ, and with religious teaching
Anyone who teaches different views and does not agree with the wholesome instruction which comes from our Lord Jesus Christ, and with religious teaching is a conceited, ignorant person, with a morbid craving for speculations and arguments which result only in envy, quarreling, abuse, base suspicions, read more. and mutual irritation between people of depraved minds, who are lost to the truth and think of religion only as a means of gain.
and mutual irritation between people of depraved minds, who are lost to the truth and think of religion only as a means of gain. And religion with contentment is a great means of gain. read more. For we bring nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
For we bring nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. If we have food and clothing we will be satisfied. read more. But men who want to get rich fall into temptations and snares and many foolish, harmful cravings, that plunge people into destruction and ruin. For love of money is the root of all the evils, and in their eagerness to get rich, some men wander away from the faith and pierce themselves to the heart with many a pang.
For love of money is the root of all the evils, and in their eagerness to get rich, some men wander away from the faith and pierce themselves to the heart with many a pang. But you, man of God, must fly from these things. Strive for uprightness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. read more. Enter the great contest of faith! Take hold of eternal life, to which God called you, when before many witnesses you made the great profession of faith. Before God who maintains all life, and before Christ Jesus who in testifying before Pontius Pilate made his great profession, I charge you
Before God who maintains all life, and before Christ Jesus who in testifying before Pontius Pilate made his great profession, I charge you to keep his command stainless and irreproachable until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, read more. which will be brought about in his own time by the blessed, only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. Charge the rich of this world not to be arrogant, nor to set their hopes on such an uncertain thing as riches, but on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. read more. Charge them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, open-handed and generous, storing up a valuable treasure for themselves for the future, so as to grasp the life that is life indeed. Timothy, guard what has been intrusted to you. Keep away from the worldly, empty phrases and contradictions of what they falsely call knowledge,
Timothy, guard what has been intrusted to you. Keep away from the worldly, empty phrases and contradictions of what they falsely call knowledge,
Timothy, guard what has been intrusted to you. Keep away from the worldly, empty phrases and contradictions of what they falsely call knowledge,
Timothy, guard what has been intrusted to you. Keep away from the worldly, empty phrases and contradictions of what they falsely call knowledge,
Anyone who is in the army keeps from being involved in business affairs, so as to please the officer who enlisted him.
and their teaching spreads like a cancer; men like Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have missed the truth and say that the resurrection has taken place already, thus undermining people's faith.
They are the kind of men who make their way into people's houses and make captives of poor, weak women, loaded down with their sins and under the control of all sorts of impulses, always ready to learn but never able to comprehend the truth. read more. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, these people in turn oppose the truth; they are men of depraved minds and counterfeit faith.
My life is already being poured out, and the time has come for my departure.
for Demas has deserted me for love of the present world, and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
and revealed at the proper time in his message, through the preaching with which I have been intrusted at the command of God our Savior,
For there are many undisciplined people, who deceive themselves with their empty talk, especially those of the party of circumcision. They must be silenced, for such men upset whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach, for the sake of dishonest gain. read more. It was a Cretan, a prophet of their own, who said, "Cretans are always liars, savage brutes, lazy gluttons,"
It was a Cretan, a prophet of their own, who said, "Cretans are always liars, savage brutes, lazy gluttons,"
and not study Jewish fictions or commands given by men who reject the truth.
and not study Jewish fictions or commands given by men who reject the truth. To the pure everything is pure, but to the evil-minded and unbelieving nothing is pure, but their very minds and consciences are unclean. read more. They profess to know God, but they disown him by what they do; they are detestable, disobedient men, worthless for any good purpose.
Teach the older men to be temperate, serious, and sensible??en of vigorous faith, love, and steadfastness.
Teach the older men to be temperate, serious, and sensible??en of vigorous faith, love, and steadfastness.
For God's mercy has appeared and brought salvation to all men, training us to renounce godless ways and worldly passions, and live serious, upright, and godly lives in this world,
He gave himself for us, to free us from all wickedness and purify for himself a people of his own, eager to do right.
Remind men to accept and obey the constituted authorities, to be ready for any useful service,
But have nothing to do with foolish controversies, pedigrees, strife, and wrangles about the Law, for they are profitless and futile. If a man is inclined to a sect, after warning him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him.
If a man is inclined to a sect, after warning him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him. You may be sure that a man of that kind is corrupt and sinful, for his own actions condemn him.
I prefer to appeal to you in the name of love, simply as what I am??aul, no less an envoy of Christ Jesus, though now a prisoner for him
For it is impossible to arouse people to a fresh repentance when they have once for all come into the light and had a taste of the gift from heaven, and shared in the holy Spirit and felt the goodness of the word of God and the strong influences of the coming age, read more. and yet have fallen back, for they crucify the Son of God on their own account, and hold him up to contempt. Ground that drinks in frequent showers and produces vegetation that is of use to those for whom it is cultivated receives God's blessing. But if it yields thorns and thistles, it is thought worthless and almost cursed, and it will finally be burned.
Children, it is the last hour. You have heard that Antichrist is coming, and many Antichrists have indeed appeared. So we may be sure that it is the last hour. They have gone out from our number, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had, they would have stayed with us. It was to make it clear that none of them really belonged to us that they withdrew. read more. But you have been anointed by the Holy One. You all know the truth; I do not write to you because you do not know it, but because you do know it, and because no lie can come from the truth. Who is such a liar as the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is the real Antichrist??he man who disowns the Father and the Son. No one who disowns the Son can have the Father. Whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father too.
Dear friends, do not believe every inspired utterance, but test the utterances to see whether they come from God, for many false prophets have come out into the world.
and any inspired utterance that does not acknowledge Jesus does not come from God; it is the inspiration of the Antichrist. You have heard that it was coming, and here it is already in the world.
"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: " 'He who holds the seven stars in his right hand and goes about among the seven gold lampstands speaks thus: I know what you have done; your hard work and your endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, and that you have tested those who claimed to be apostles when they were not, and have found them to be impostors. read more. You show endurance; you have undergone much for my sake, and you have not grown weary. But I hold it against you that you do not love as you did at first. So remember how far you have fallen, and repent and do as you did at first, or else I will come to you and take your lampstand from its place, if you do not repent. But it is in your favor that you hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, as I do.