Reference: Timothy, The First Epistle to
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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/moffatt'>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
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Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, performed great wonders and miracles among the people.
This they carried out, sending their contribution to the presbyters by Barnabas and Saul.
They chose presbyters for them in every church, and with prayer and fasting entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
So he despatched two of his assistants to Macedonia, Timotheus and Erastus, while he himself stayed on awhile in Asia.
bearing my testimony, both to Jews and Greeks, of repentance before God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Now here I go to Jerusalem under the binding force of the Spirit. What will befall me there, I do not know. read more. Only, I know this, that in town after town the holy Spirit testifies to me that bonds and troubles are awaiting me. But then, I set no value on my own life as compared with the joy of finishing my course and fulfilling the commission I received from the Lord Jesus to attest the gospel of the grace of God. I know to-day that not one of you will ever see my face again ??not one of you among whom I moved as I preached the Reign.
I know to-day that not one of you will ever see my face again ??not one of you among whom I moved as I preached the Reign. Therefore do I protest before you this day that I am not responsible for the blood of any of you; read more. I never shrank from letting you know the entire purpose of God. Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock of which the holy Spirit has appointed you guardians; shepherd the church of the Lord which he has purchased with his own blood. I know that when I am gone, fierce wolves will get in among you, and they will not spare the flock; yes.
I know that when I am gone, fierce wolves will get in among you, and they will not spare the flock; yes. and men of your own number will arise with perversions of the truth to draw the disciples after them.
and men of your own number will arise with perversions of the truth to draw the disciples after them.
Human arguments, you say? But does not Scripture urge the very same? It is written in the law of Moses, You must not muzzle an ox when he is treading the grain. Is God thinking here about cattle? read more. Or is he speaking purely for our sakes? Assuredly for our sakes. This word was written for us, because the ploughman needs to plough in hope, and the thresher to thresh in the hope of getting a share in the crop.
but let everything be done decorously and in order.
Now if we preach that Christ rose from the dead, how can certain individuals among you assert that 'there is no such thing as a resurrection of the dead'? If 'there is no such thing as a resurrection from the dead,' then even Christ did not rise; read more. and if Christ did not rise, then our preaching has gone for nothing, and your faith has gone for nothing too. Besides, we are detected bearing false witness to God by affirming of him that he raised Christ ??whom he did not raise, if after all dead men never rise. For if dead men never rise, Christ did not rise either; and if Christ did not rise, your faith is futile, you are still in your sins. More than that: those who have slept the sleep of death in Christ have perished after all. Ah, if in this life we have nothing but a mere hope in Christ, we are of all men to be pitied most! But it is not so! Christ did rise from the dead, he was the first to be reaped of those who sleep in death. For since death came by man, by man came also resurrection from the dead; as all die in Adam, so shall all be made alive in Christ. But each in his own division: ??Christ the first to be reaped; after that, all who belong to Christ, at his arrival. Then comes the end, when he hands over his royal power to God the Father, after putting down all other rulers, all other authorities and powers. For he must reign until all his foes are put under his feet. (Death is the last foe to be put down.) For God has put everything under his feet. When it is said that everything has been put under him, plainly that excludes Him who put everything under him; and when everything is put under him, then the Son himself will be put under Him who put everything under him, so that God may be everything to everyone. Otherwise, if there is no such thing as a resurrection, what is the meaning of people getting baptized on behalf of their dead? If dead men do not rise at all, why do people get baptized on their behalf? Yes, and why am I myself in danger every hour? (Not a day but I am at death's door! I swear it by my pride in you, brothers, through Christ Jesus our Lord.) What would it avail me that, humanly speaking, I 'fought with wild beasts' at Ephesus? If dead men do not rise, let us eat and drink, for we will be dead to-morrow! Make no mistake about this: 'bad company is the ruin of good character.'
The chances are, I shall spend some time with you, possibly even pass the winter with you, so that you may speed me forward on any journey that lies before me.
And then there is the pressing business of each day, the care of all the churches.
This will be my third visit to you: every case is to be decided on the evidence of two or of three witnesses. I warned you already, on my second visit, and I warn you now before I come, both you who sinned some time ago and the rest of you as well, that I will spare no one if I come back. read more. That will prove to you that I am indeed a spokesman of Christ. It is no weak Christ you have to do with, but a Christ of power. For though he was crucified in his weakness, he lives by the power of God; and though I am weak as he was weak, you will find I am alive as he is alive by the power of God.
who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil world ??by the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever: Amen.
(I am writing you the sheer truth, I swear it before God!)
and when they recognized the grace I had been given, then the so-called 'pillars' of the church, James and Cephas and John, gave myself and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship. Our sphere was to be the Gentiles, theirs the circumcised.
(an intermediary implies more than one party, but God is one).
Never let us grow tired of doing what is right, for if we do not faint we shall reap our harvest at the opportune season.
For many ??as I have often told you and tell you now with tears ??many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Destruction is their fate, the belly is their god, they glory in their shame, these men of earthly mind!
As I asked you when I was on my way to Macedonia, stay where you are at Ephesus and warn certain individuals against teaching novelties
As I asked you when I was on my way to Macedonia, stay where you are at Ephesus and warn certain individuals against teaching novelties
As I asked you when I was on my way to Macedonia, stay where you are at Ephesus and warn certain individuals against teaching novelties
As I asked you when I was on my way to Macedonia, stay where you are at Ephesus and warn certain individuals against teaching novelties
As I asked you when I was on my way to Macedonia, stay where you are at Ephesus and warn certain individuals against teaching novelties
As I asked you when I was on my way to Macedonia, stay where you are at Ephesus and warn certain individuals against teaching novelties and studying myths and interminable genealogies; such studies bear upon speculations rather than on the divine order which belongs to faith.
and studying myths and interminable genealogies; such studies bear upon speculations rather than on the divine order which belongs to faith.
doctors of the Law is what they want to be, but they have no idea either of the meaning of the words they use or of the themes on which they harp.
doctors of the Law is what they want to be, but they have no idea either of the meaning of the words they use or of the themes on which they harp. I am quite aware that 'the Law is admirable' ??provided that one makes a lawful use of it; read more. he must keep in mind that no law is ever made for honest people but for the lawless and the insubordinate, for the impious and the sinful, for the irreverent and the profane, for parricides and matricides, murderers,
It is a sure word, it deserves all praise, that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"; and though I am the foremost of sinners,
I transmit these instructions to you, Timotheus my son, in accordance with what the prophets said who first directed me to you; fight the good fight on these lines, keeping hold of faith and a good conscience. Certain individuals have scouted the good conscience and thus come to grief over their faith ??20 including Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have made over to Satan. That will teach them to stop their blasphemous ongoings!
Well, my very first counsel is that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgiving, are to be offered for all men ??2 for kings and all in authority, that we may lead a tranquil life in all piety and gravity;
Well, my very first counsel is that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgiving, are to be offered for all men ??2 for kings and all in authority, that we may lead a tranquil life in all piety and gravity;
it is good to pray thus, it is acceptable to our Saviour, to the God who desires all men to be saved and to attain the knowledge of the Truth. read more. For "there is one God" and "one intermediary between God and men,
For "there is one God" and "one intermediary between God and men, the man Christ Jesus who gave himself as a ransom for all": ??in due time this was attested,
the man Christ Jesus who gave himself as a ransom for all": ??in due time this was attested,
Now I want the men to offer prayer at any meeting of the church; and let the hands they lift to heaven be holy ??they must be free from anger and dissension.
A woman must listen quietly in church and be perfectly submissive; I allow no woman to teach or dictate to men, she must keep quiet. read more. For Adam was created first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, it was Eve who was deceived and who fell into sin.
Though I hope to come to you before long, I am writing to you in this way,
Though I hope to come to you before long, I am writing to you in this way, in case I am detained, to let you see how people ought to behave within the household of God; it is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the Truth.
in case I am detained, to let you see how people ought to behave within the household of God; it is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the Truth.
through plausible sophists who are seared in conscience ??3 men who prohibit marriage and insist on abstinence from foods which God created for believing men, who understand the Truth, to partake of with thanksgiving.
through plausible sophists who are seared in conscience ??3 men who prohibit marriage and insist on abstinence from foods which God created for believing men, who understand the Truth, to partake of with thanksgiving.
Shut your mind against these profane, drivelling myths; train for the religious life.
Let no one slight you because you are a youth, but set the believers an example of speech, behaviour, love, faith, and purity.
Never censure an older man harshly; appeal to him as a father. Treat younger men like brothers,
Presbyters who are efficient presidents are to be considered worthy of ample remuneration, particularly those who have the task of preaching and teaching: Scripture says, You must not muzzle an ox when he is treading the grain, and A workman deserves his wages. read more. Never let any charge be brought against a presbyter, unless it is certified by two or three witnesses. Those who are guilty of sin you must expose in public, to overawe the others.
Anyone who teaches novelties and refuses to fall in with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the doctrine that tallies with piety,
Anyone who teaches novelties and refuses to fall in with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the doctrine that tallies with piety, is a conceited, ignorant creature, with a morbid passion for controversy and argument which only leads to envy, dissension, insults, insinuations, read more. and constant friction between people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the Truth. They imagine religion is a paying concern.
and constant friction between people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the Truth. They imagine religion is a paying concern. And so it is ??provided it goes with a contented spirit; 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 clothes, we must be content with that. read more. Those who are eager to be rich get tempted and trapped in many senseless and pernicious propensities that drag men down to ruin and destruction. For love of money is the root of all mischief; it is by aspiring to be rich that certain individuals have gone astray from the faith and found themselves pierced with many a pang of remorse.
For love of money is the root of all mischief; it is by aspiring to be rich that certain individuals have gone astray from the faith and found themselves pierced with many a pang of remorse. Shun that, O man of God, aim at integrity, piety, faith, love, stedfastness, and suavity; read more. fight in the good fight of the faith, secure that life eternal to which you were called when you voiced the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the presence of God who is the Life of all, and of Christ Jesus who testified to the good confession before Pontius Pilate, I charge you
In the presence of God who is the Life of all, and of Christ Jesus who testified to the good confession before Pontius Pilate, I charge you to keep your commission free from stain, free from reproach, till the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ ??15 which will be brought about in due time by that blessed and only Sovereign, King of kings and Lord of lords,
who alone has immortality, who dwells in light that none can approach, whom no man has ever seen or can see. To him be honour and eternal dominion: Amen.
who alone has immortality, who dwells in light that none can approach, whom no man has ever seen or can see. To him be honour and eternal dominion: Amen. Charge the rich of this world not to be supercilious, and not to fix their hopes on so uncertain a thing as riches but on the living God who richly provides us with all the enjoyments of life; read more. tell them to be bountiful, rich in good works, open-handed and generous, amassing right good treasure for themselves in the world to come, in order to secure the life which is life indeed. O Timotheus, keep the securities of the faith intact: avoid the profane jargon and contradictions of what is falsely called 'Knowledge.'
O Timotheus, keep the securities of the faith intact: avoid the profane jargon and contradictions of what is falsely called 'Knowledge.'
O Timotheus, keep the securities of the faith intact: avoid the profane jargon and contradictions of what is falsely called 'Knowledge.'
O Timotheus, keep the securities of the faith intact: avoid the profane jargon and contradictions of what is falsely called 'Knowledge.'
No soldier gets entangled in civil pursuits; his aim is to satisfy his commander.
and their doctrine spreads like a gangrene. So it is with Hymenaeus and Philetus; they have failed in the Truth by arguing that the resurrection has taken place already, and they are undermining some people's faith.
Some of them worm their way into families and get hold of the women-folk who feel crushed by the burden of their sins ??wayward creatures of impulse, who are always curious to learn and never able to attain the knowledge of the Truth. read more. For these guides of theirs are hostile to the Truth, just as Jannes and Jambres were hostile to Moses; they are depraved in mind and useless for all purposes of faith.
The last drops of my own sacrifice are falling; my time to go has come.
for Demas, in his love for this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens is off to Gaul, Titus to Dalmatia,
For there are plenty of insubordinate creatures who impose on people with their empty arguments, particularly those who have come over from Judaism; they must be silenced, for they are undermining whole families by teaching objectionable doctrine for the base end of making money. read more. It has been said by one of themselves, by a prophet of their own, that ??"Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."
It has been said by one of themselves, by a prophet of their own, that ??"Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."
instead of studying Jewish myths and rules laid down by men who have discarded the Truth.
instead of studying Jewish myths and rules laid down by men who have discarded the Truth. For the pure all things are pure, but nothing is pure for the polluted and unbelieving; their very mind and conscience are polluted. read more. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their deeds; they are detestable, disobedient, and useless for good work of any kind.
Tell the older men to be temperate, serious, masters of themselves, sound in faith, in love, and in stedfastness.
Tell the older men to be temperate, serious, masters of themselves, sound in faith, in love, and in stedfastness.
they must give good counsel, so that the young women may be trained to love their husbands and children,
they must give good counsel, so that the young women may be trained to love their husbands and children,
Tell the young men also to be masters of themselves at all points;
For the grace of God has appeared to save all men, and it schools us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions and to live a life of self-mastery, of integrity, and of piety in this present world,
who gave himself up for us to redeem us from all iniquity and secure himself a clean people with a zest for good works.
Remind them to be submissive to their rulers and authorities; they must obey, they must be ready for any good work,
But avoid foolish controversy, and let genealogies and dissensions and strife over the Law alone, for these are fruitless and futile. After a first and a second warning have no more to do with a factious person;
After a first and a second warning have no more to do with a factious person; you may be sure a man like that is perverted; he is sinning and he knows it.
I prefer to appeal to you on the ground of love. Well then, as Paul the old man, who now-a-days is a prisoner for Christ Jesus,
For in the case of people who have been once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly Gift, who participated in the holy Spirit, who tasted the goodness of God's word and the powers of the world to come, and then fell away ??6 it is impossible to make them repent afresh, since they crucify the Son of God in their own persons and hold him up to obloquy.
For land which absorbs the rain that often falls on it, and bears plants that are useful to those for whom it is tilled, receives a blessing from God; whereas, if it produces thorns and thistles, it is reprobate and on the verge of being cursed ??its fate is to be burned.
Children, it is the last hour. You have learned that 'Antichrist is coming.' Well, but many antichrists have appeared ??which makes us sure it is the last hour. They withdrew from us, but they did not belong to us; had they belonged to us, they would have remained with us, but they withdrew to make it plain that they are none of us. read more. Now, you have been anointed by the holy One, and you all possess knowledge. I am not writing to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and know that no lie has any connexion with the truth. Who is the real liar? who but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is 'antichrist,' he who disowns the Father and the Son. No one who disowns the Son can possess the Father: he who confesses the Son possesses the Father as well.
Do not believe every spirit, beloved, but test the spirits to see if they come from God; for many false prophets have emerged in the world.
and every spirit which does not confess Jesus [incarnate] does not come from God. This latter is the spirit of antichrist; you were told it was coming, and here it is already in the world.
To the angel of the church at Ephesus write thus: ??These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who moves among the seven golden lampstands: I know your doings, your hard work and your patient endurance; I know that you cannot bear wicked men, and that you have tested those who style themselves apostles (no apostles they!) and detected them to be liars; read more. I know that you are enduring patiently and have borne up for my sake and have not wearied. But I have this against you: you have given up loving one another as you did at first. Now, remember the height from which you have fallen; repent and act as you did at first. If not, I will come to you [very soon] and remove your lamp stand, unless you repent. Still, you have this in your favour: you hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, and I hate them too.