1 Timothy 1

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This passage beautifully lays out Timothy's mission. From verses 1-7 we glean Timothy's comission from Paul, verses 8-11 describes man's nature even within the Church, verses 12-17 remind's us of God's work in this world, and verses 18-20 encourages us that God's grace is much greater than all our sin.

Verses 1-7. We learn from these verses that Timthy was comissioned by Paul to stay in Ephesus. Paul did not just tell him to stay and vacation in Asia Minor, he had work to do. Timothy was told to ensure that the Word of God went out, unpolluted by sinful men. Note that he was given the measuring stick for profitable discussion--love. Love as defined by 1) purity, 2) good concience and 3) faith. Purity is for the present, conscience for the past and faith for the future. Paul warned against malicious false prophets--people who know better and still teach their own agenda. Note, people can be sincere and sincerely wrong, but if they do not respond positively to instruction, they should be disciplined.

Note, this passage also validates the idea of commission. I.e., one can be given a job by a Church leader and should strive to accomplish this goal as God's servant. Paul took a calculated risk by placing the Church at Ephesus in Timothy's care. But it was a wise decision because Paul had invested a lot in him and ended up getting great return.

Verses 8-11. Here Paul goes into man's nature. We are all depraved and in need of the law. The law shows us a reflection of who we are. Since the law is true, we know that our estate is helpless indeed. No wonder we need god shepherds to guide us. No wonder we need one who is in touch with the Great Shepherd.

Verses 12-17. Lest we think all hope is gone and be discouraged, Paul reminds us of God's grace and mysterious ways. Of course, the greatest example of this is Paul himself. Sometimes leaders get discouraged when all they do is discipline and weed out people who stubbornly continue in their ways. Paul was stubborn in his day. But God had other plans. God took him and transformed him to something useful. Be encouraged.

Verses 18-20. Yet more encouragement is offered to Timothy. Not only is God in the business of making realities out of the impossible, but he supplies power to endure. God is faithful to us always. If we were to respond to Him in the slightest way, he can stretch our proverbial mustard seed into mountains of power. But sometimes we do not respond, that's when we end up shipwrecked. Loved by God, but still with a life in ruins. Either way, God is faithful. God's plan is for our good and in making good out of depraved man, He is glorified.

1 Timothy. Intro.

1 Corinthians 4:16-18, 1 Corinthians 16:9-11 - Passage Lookup - New American Standard Bible - BibleGateway.com

Timothy is an interesting character. I have yet to run across a passage in which he utters a word, but he is continuously put forth as an example. His duty, expressly charged by the apostle Paul, was to be a positive influence on the people of Corinth. He sends greetings to all churches, but no sermons are recorded. His gift does not seem to be preaching by any means, he seems to be an administrator who teaches with his actions.

Timothy clearly earned Paul's respect. It is interesting that he considers Timothy a son to him, though they are very different indeed. Paul is the outspoken preacher man who moves from town to town. Timothy is the one who is assigned to stop in the city and be an example of decent, Christian living.

In Timothy we see the importance of strong Christian leaders within the assembly. At least one strong leader can take a wayward church like Corinth, and be the tool God uses to minister to and refine them.

Paul truly sees Timothy as a son in the faith. He is protective of him. He re-confirms Timothy's commission. He, the one who was the beloved, respected preacher, gave his personal stamp of recommendation to Timothy. This kind of commendation could go a very long way.

Paul told the Corinthians not to despise him--a sentiment echoed to Timothy directly. It is easy to despize the spiritual man. Perhaps he's too strict. Perhaps he seems not strict enough. Perhaps he goes to church too much. Perhaps he does go to church enough. Perhaps he is too young or too old. There's always a reason to despise the one who represents the truth.

Let us not be too arrogant to listen to the truth.

1 Thessalonians 5

1 thess 5 - Passage Lookup - New American Standard Bible - BibleGateway.com

Paul opens this portion with a warning. The Lord's return will come suddenly. The Lord's return will catch many people off guard. Note that Paul does not claim that this passage is an end-all explanation of what will occur in the end times. This is simply a glimpse into the future, and an exhortation to remain faithful.

Notice the Gothic Dualism in Paul's exhortation as he contrasts the light and darkness, the day and night, the  awake and the sleeping. Obviously, one state is at an advantage over the other. The one in the light can see better than the one in the darkness. The one in the day is more aware of his surroundings that the one in the night. The one who is awake is conscious, the one who is asleep is unaware. Paul encourages the believers, saying that they have the advantage over their oppressors. One day, everything will be turned around. We will win in the end. They will be caught and their foolishness will be exposed for all to see.

But what are those things that we should be doing as awakened people who enjoy daylight? Paul closes the epistle with those instructions exactly. He says we should appreciate those who labor over us (12)--Church leadership. Appreciate them for their diligence and instruction. Look out for each other (14) and try to deliver what they need. Always find a way to do good (15) regardless of the situation you are in. There are three things we should always do: rejoice, pray and give thanks (16-18) because God wants us to. Be sensitive to the Spirit's continual leading (19-22). Don't ever be downcast, because God is working in you to improve you (23-24) and He will always succeed in the end.

That's the most encouraging word a believer will ever hear.

1 Thessalonians 4

1 thess 4 - Passage Lookup - New American Standard Bible - BibleGateway.com

In this passage Paul exhorts the believers in an area they are failing in, encourages the believers in an area they are successful in and informs the believers in an area they are ignorant in. This is a model that would serve us well to incorporate if we find ourselves in a position where we are mentoring another believer. It is sometimes easy to find something wrong in another people, but it is a different story when trying to find a positive. Harder still is determining what a believer errs in ignorantly, or if they realize these beliefs fly in the face of solid teaching. In that case, the error becomes more than ignorance, it is insubordination to the Holy Spirit.

Verses 1-8. Here Paul takes on the task of correction. He informs the believers that sexual immorality is not pleasing to God. He goes beyond just rehearsing a list of dos and don'ts though, he tells the Thessalonians why. The reason is because God wills that we be sanctified. God wants our physical lives to be pure -- to be a reflection of what God has declared us to be on the inside. Our purpose is to be cleansed, not to indulge in filthy deeds. God does not give us rules without purpose. There is always some higher morality or lesson to be learned when God gives us a fact. In this case, it is the value God has for our bodies.

Verses 9-12. Paul makes sure he notes the love the saints have for one another. A genuine love. A pure love. A love taught them by God Himself. Again, love is not just good for it's own sake, it takes on a more dynamic role as a proper representation of Christianity as a whole. We are ambassadors for God, God is love, we should love as well. We should have love for all, beginning with the saints and continuing with all others.

Verses 13-18. Finally Paul acknowledges and corrects an erroneous idea that was believed by the Thessalonians; the belief that once one dies they are gone forever. For the believer, death is a resting place until God raises the body again. The metaphor of sleep shows us that death is no more of a challenge to our great God than a nap. Notice the point of this correction: comfort. Be comforted. Do not stress. Do not worry. Find comfort that in the end, God reigns supreme. That is the point of eschatology -- God's in control. I am a Pan-millenialist: I believe everything will pan out in the end because God is in control.

1 Thessalonians 3

1 thess 3 - Passage Lookup - New International Version - BibleGateway.com

The more I read this epistle, the less hard Theology I find and more basic survival and encouragement prevails. Paul is not instructing the believers as much as he is encouraging them to continue in the basic faith. One must grow and develop in the stage they currently find themselves in before they can take on more.

Verses 1-5. Here, as in every location, stresses the importance of Godly role models and leadership. Timothy was sent to the believers to strengthen and encourage the believers. In other words, to make sure that they had a grasp of the basic things on the faith and to make sure that they can continue on believing in Christ.

Note also that God overcomes in every situation. Perhaps Satan won a battle here or there. In fact, the very presence of persecution was a victory for Satan. But he has not, nor ever will win the war. Christ emerges victorious in every circumstance, even in Thessalonica.

Verses 6-11. It becomes obvious through these verses that Paul truly invested a lot of Spiritual stock in the people of Thessalonica. He truly cared for them and wanted what was best for them. In fact, Paul expressed this sentiment many times in his epistles. God's workers should be invested in God's people. It should never be the other way around. That is not to say that the assembly should not support God's laborers, but God's people should not be enslaved to them. Paul, and his company, was excited to see the church in Thessalonica make progress.

Verses 11-13. Paul wants to go and see the church. There is nothing like personal discipleship. One can read letters, books and blogs, but there is no better way to learn than at the feet of someone who knows more than you do. Perhaps there is someone who can teach you something about the scriptures. Perhaps there is someone you can teach about the scriptures.

The trademark of God is His love. The trademark of Christ is His act of love. The primary fruit of the Spirit is love. The greatest of the three: Faith, Hope and Love is Love. A true believer who is not suppressing God's interactions with him should exude love. Love for the believers. Love for the world. Paul wants to see love overflowing in the assembly.

Now Paul prays for strength. Strength is needed in this world. The believer needs to grow and gain strength so they can take on deeper things.Further, the believer needs to grow and gain strength so they can grow closer to the image of God's Son, Jesus Christ. The believer is being sanctified, and the only way to fuel that process is by growing in strength. Knowing God through His word and communication. Application to daily life. Confession and repentance when he fails.

Again, Paul closes the chapter (actually the editors ended the chapter) with a reference to the return of Christ. It is a sure thing. We want to be found faithful to Him upon His return. Is the goal to be fully sanctified when He returns? I would say yes. Is anyone going to be fully sanctified on this earth? I would say no. But that does not provide any excuse for anyone to neglect the working out of our salvation with fear and trembling.