GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT

1 Timothy 6:3-10 / Keywords 6:6

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

 

6:3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

1. Paul tells us about the anti-Christs who have corrupt minds that counter Jesus’ teaching. They obsess over controversies and quarrels that only bring unholiness and darkness in the world. They consider godliness as a way to gain materialistic success.

 

2. However, Paul teaches us that we must be content in our striving to live a godly life. We shall not want, because the Lord God is our shepherd. We must not be greedy or materialistic, because God already provided for us and will provide us everything we need. This faith is a true gain that brings real joy and holiness, as opposed to the financial gain that leads to harmful desires. In fact, we brought nothing into the world; the Lord God created everything. Therefore, we can take nothing out of it.

 

3. We often feel insecure about our financial stability and lack of money. The world tells us to chase after money and achieve great wealth. The devil’s temptation is very powerful. But, we must remind ourselves that the love of money brings ruin and destruction. We must pray for the strength from the Holy Spirit to resist these temptations.

 

Prayer Father, help me to be content in all of your blessings in my life.

One Word Godliness with contentment is great gain

HONOR ELDERS

1 Timothy 5:17-6:2 / Keywords 5:17

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

 

5:17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”[a] and “The worker deserves his wages.”[b] 19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. 21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

24 The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.

6:1 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare[c] of their slaves.

False Teachers and the Love of Money

These are the things you are to teach and insist on.

Footnotes

a. 1 Timothy 5:18 Deut. 25:4

b. 1 Timothy 5:18 Luke 10:7

c. 1 Timothy 6:2 Or and benefit from the service

1. Paul says that elders who teach and preach are worth double honor. The need for elders in the church who are shepherds of God’s flock is so vital. We should respect them and not entertain false accusations against them. On the other hand, if they are in the wrong, we should take them to task. We should not show favoritism, even if they are our relatives, shepherds, or close connection. The church must guard itself against nepotism.

 

2. Paul also gives Timothy various other instructions. He should not lay his hands freely on others until he is sure they are committed Christians. He should not be legalistic about drinking wine, since it could help his stomach problems. He should have discernment about who is sinning and who is doing good by looking at the outcome of their actions.

 

3. Lastly, Christian slaves should honor their masters. Though in Christ they enjoyed equality with their brothers, they should be sensitive to the Roman world around them and be a good influence that leads others to Christ when they submit to their masters.

 

Prayer Father, thank you for the elders who sacrificially serve you as Bible teachers and preachers of your word. Please help me honor them and pray for them to do what is right.

One Word Honor elders who teach and preach

PUT YOUR HOPE IN GOD

1 Timothy 5:1-16 / Keywords 5:5

The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.

 

Widows, Elders and Slaves

5:1 Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 5 The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. 6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. 8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, 10 and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

11 As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. 12 Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. 13 Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to. 14 So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. 15 Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.

16 If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.

1. Paul addresses first how we see each other in the church. He cautions us not to rebuke an older man, keeping the order of respect. He also admonishes Timothy and us to respect older women as mothers and younger women as sisters. When we love Christ purely, we value our church members highly as our own family members who have received the blood of Christ. How do you view your church members?

 

2. Paul next addresses the situation of widows. In Ephesus, some widows who didn’t really need help were draining the resources for widows in real need. So, Paul gives restrictions to help Timothy in this matter. Widows should only get help if they are over 60 and have no other resources. Family members should first take care of widows. Young widows should remarry and have a family.

 

3. Paul says that only the widow who puts their hope in God should be cared for by the church. A widow is lonely, helpless, and impoverished. She can seek many solutions to her situation, or, by faith, put her hope in God. We, too, like a widow have nothing in this world except Jesus to truly hope. Let’s see our spiritual state before God and put our hope in Christ, our true bridegroom. Let’s rely on him day and night in prayer, like a widow.

 

Prayer Father, thank you for giving us real hope in Christ. Help us to rely on him in prayer for help.

One Word Put your hope in God

DEVOTE YOURSELF TO TEACHING

1 Timothy 4:6-16 / Keywords 4:7

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.

 

4:6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Footnotes

a. 1 Timothy 4:6 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.

1. Paul charges Timothy to teach the believers the word of God carefully. The church was led astray by false teachers who taught them to deny themselves physically by not eating certain foods and not marrying. Paul teaches that though physical discipline has some merit, real spiritual training that builds people up in the word of God is of more value. Bible study requires commitment and discipline to come to the word of God regularly to read it, study it, and grow in the word. This training has great value in this life and the life to come. The ministry of the word is worth our labor to bring salvation to all people who are lost and dying.

 

2. At the same time, Timothy faces a tough battle to restore the church due to his youth. The other leaders and false teachers in the church in Ephesus are older, richer, and more successful. Still, he must not let anyone look down on him. By devoting himself to Bible teaching and persevering as a role model in his personal life, Timothy could win over believers and in the battle against false teaching.

 

Prayer Father, help me to devote myself to Bible teaching and living according to your word. Help me to challenge the culture with your truth.

One Word Devote yourself to teaching the word

TRUE GODLINESS

1 Timothy 3:14-4:5 / Keywords 3:16

Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

 

Reasons for Paul’s Instructions

3:14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,

    was vindicated by the Spirit,[d]

was seen by angels,

    was preached among the nations,

was believed on in the world,

    was taken up in glory.

4:1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

Footnotes

d. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit

1. Paul hoped to come to the Ephesians soon. But even if he could not, he still wanted to let them know how to act in the church, for it is the foundation of the truth. The church community is so precious, and we must value it highly. The church is God’s household. For the church, Jesus became one of us, died and ascended, and sent down the Holy Spirit from heaven. The church built on the gospel extends to all the nations and reveals his glory. True godliness guides our lives according to the gospel truth and builds up the church.

 

2. Then Paul rebuked those who taught false teachings, which forbid people from eating certain foods and taught that marriage is sinful. These false teachers acted as if they practiced some extra way to godliness, but their ideas were against God’s truth and were influenced by demonic forces.

 

3. Paul taught them Genesis to plant the faith that all that God made was good. God also blessed man and woman with marriage as his chief blessing in the Garden. We must receive God’s blessings with thanksgiving. True godliness is not rejecting God’s blessings but accepting them with faith and gratitude.

 

Prayer Father, thank you for Jesus who truly makes us godly through his death and resurrection. Please help me to build up the church on the truth.

One Word True godliness comes from believing in the gospel of Jesus and living for his glory

QUALIFICATIONS FOR ELDERS

1 Timothy 3:1-13 / Keywords 3:2

Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

 

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

3:1 Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full[a] respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

8 In the same way, deacons[b] are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

11 In the same way, the women[c] are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Footnotes

a. 1 Timothy 3:4 Or him with proper

b. 1 Timothy 3:8 The word deacons refers here to Christians designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in verse 12; and in Romans 16:1 and Phil. 1:1.

c. 1 Timothy 3:11 Possibly deacons’ wives or women who are deacons

1. Elders of the church have an important responsibility to govern church affairs and to shepherd the flock. They must be fit for the task spiritually. Paul said they must be above reproach. That’s a tall order. Their personal lives, including their families, must be a role model for others. Elders must not be a recent convert, or they may become proud. Elders must be respectable people in the community as well. We should pray for our elders to be able to carry out this noble task.

 

2. Deacons are those who actively carry out the ministry. They should also be of godly character and careful of the ungodly influences in their lives. They must also obey the truth of God’s word with a clear conscience. Deaconesses should be respectable and trustworthy and not prone to malicious talk. We should pray for our church leaders at all levels to succeed in their calling.

 

3. The families of elders and deacons should be role models for church members. This requires that they first lead at home and be spiritual leaders in their own houses. We should support their families in prayer as they carry the cross of ministry.

 

Prayer Father, thank you for our elders and church leaders. Please equip them for their roles and protect them and their families from Satan’s trap.

One Word Elders to be above reproach and deacons to be trustworthy

INSTRUCTIONS ON WORSHIP

1 Timothy 2:8-15 / Keywords 2:8

I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

2:8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. 9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

11 A woman[a] should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man;[b] she must be quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women[c] will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

Footnotes

a. 1 Timothy 2:11 Or wife; also in verse 12

b. 1 Timothy 2:12 Or over her husband

c. 1 Timothy 2:15 Greek she

 

1. Paul addresses the problems specific to the church in Ephesus. Firstly, the men should stop arguing over pointless controversies that bring down the church and hinder the work of God. They should lift their holy hands in prayer. Let us choose prayer and unity, instead of falling into an angry, quarrelsome spirit, so that God’s word can spread. It takes faith and repentance to turn away from destructive talk and to, instead, be united in prayer. May God help us pray together with our holy hands lifted up.

 

2. Paul then instructs the women not to dress up in fancy, expensive clothes or hairstyles for worship service. Showing off is inappropriate for worship. Rather, Paul encourages them to do good deeds, which are appropriate for women of faith, and have an eternal beauty and truly dignifies them.

 

3. Next, Paul orders that women be quiet and obedient and not to teach men. In Ephesus, powerful, rich women were controlling the church leaders. Paul taught them Genesis to help them understand Biblical manhood and womanhood. Women are entrusted with children to instruct and to raise up with love, faith, and holiness.

 

Prayer Father, thank you for the privilege to worship you with your people. Bless us to be united in prayer and to do good works that build up others.

One Word Lift up holy hands in prayer and be united as one voice for God’s glory