Journal 1 Tim 1 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)
Scripture: (Paul speaking) “As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote:
- Speculations, rather than the
- Stewardship from God that is by faith.
The aim of our charge is:
- Love that (which) issues from a pure heart, and a
- Good conscience and a
- Sincere faith.
Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion—desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either
- What they are saying or
- The things about which they make confident assertions.” (1 Tim 1:3-7)
Observation: Scripture looks different when I reconstruct the paragraph like this. It makes me think with objectives and observations in mind.
Application: Everyone wants to be a teacher.
From a fresh recruit to the Kingdom to the old plodder in faith, speaking our mind with authority is there.
Newbies have energy and opinions, some facts and lots of vision.
Old guys look back with wisdom gained by experience and dream dreams.
Scripture supports this analysis by saying: “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.” (Joel 2:28-29)
What do I plainly see from Paul’s communication to Timothy?
- What should be focused upon and embraced?
Pure hearted love, a good (not compromised) conscience and a sincere faith
Where would a compromised conscience, love, and faith come from? Simon the magician from the account in Acts 8 comes to mind:
- “But there was a man named Simon, who…amazed the people of Samaria…They all paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed him with his magic…
Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money (to get the same power)…(excerpts from Acts 8:9-19)
Also: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people IN ORDER TO BE SEEN by them…” (Matt 6:1)
It can be inferred that compromise can some from vanity—wanting to be “somebody” of note.
- What should be avoided?
Speculations, guesses, and imaginations without rigid references AND these speculations, et.al. presented authoritatively as fact.
Jesus warned believers plainly:
- “Beware of false prophets…(Matt 7:15)
- “For many will come in my name, saying, “I am the Christ’, and they will lead many astray…: (Matt 24:5)
Paul did the same:
- “If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words…imagining that godliness is a means of gain.” (1 Tim 6:3-5)
- “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths…” (2 Tim 4:3-4)
- “For among them are (men) who creep into households…always “learning” and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth…opposed (to) the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith…” (summarized excerpts from 2 Tim 4:6-8)
There is a reason and good example of solid foundations that Lord Jesus did this: “It is written…” This preface shows study and solid doctrine.
Prayer: Father, even now I am apprehensive of going out on a limb, biblically speaking. Many ideas and concepts I think You have dropped into my heart and mind is taking me years to integrate from Your word.
As the years go by, I strain against the bit and simultaneously learn to relax and be at peace, like with today’s posting. Thank you for ministering me through the night.
Amen.
Ricky two-shoes.