PAUL’S FINAL INSTRUCTIONS
1 Timothy 6:11-21
In theses last verses from Paul to Timothy he is recapping
the items he felt most important
1Ti 6:11 But you, Timothy, are a man of
God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life,
along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
·
Run from evil
things. Since Ephesus was in throws of corruption by false teachers there could be
times that Timothy felt he should debate with them or discuss things with them
to try and meet an accord. He would be flirting with Satan if he did those
things so Paul is warning him to flee from ungodly things.
·
Pursue
Righteousness and a Godly life Timothy is here to be an example of
what a follower of Christ is supposed to be. If he lied or gossiped others
would think that is okay. Worst of all he could lose God's blessing.
·
Love Jesus is love
and that is to be demonstrated. He loves all, even the sinners but they need to
know that they should repent and see him as their savior. An example of that love: My wife and I are in
small group. We can discuss things that are sensitive and these people will try
to help and keep all comments within the group. You can tell there is Christian
(Agape) love there.
·
Perseverance Timothy was
going to have enemies and they would throw up lots of roadblocks to unseat him
as the authority on God.
·
Gentleness Mean spirited
comments would only drive people away. Timothy needed to be approachable. By
doing that people would talk with him without fear.
1Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight for the
true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which
you have confessed so well before many witnesses. 1Ti
6:13 And I charge you before God,
who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony
before Pontius Pilate, 1Ti 6:14 that you obey this command without wavering.
Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes
again.
This is like the half time speech from
a coach. reminding him that Jesus gave a good testimony to Pontius Pilate and
Timothy is to do the same. He is not to waver in his testimony there is one
truth and he is to stick to that and not embellish with none Biblical ideas.
Verse 14 says until Christ returns, the belief is they all knew that he would
return after they had passed away so the instructions were for the rest of his
life.
1Ti 6:15 For at just the right time
Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the
King of all kings and Lord of all lords. 1Ti 6:16 He alone can never die, and he lives in light
so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him,
nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen.
Life Application New Testament Commentary: "The phrase, King of
kings and Lord of lords, reveals that there is no other way to ascribe more
power and authority than to God alone. Paul used the common titles for human
power, but enlarged them by investing in God supreme power over those we
consider most powerful. God has no peer".
1Ti 6:17 Teach those who are rich in
this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so
unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for
our enjoyment. 1Ti 6:18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They
should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready
to share with others. 1Ti 6:19 By doing this they will be storing up their
treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true
life.
The rich will be the hardest nut to crack. They are comfortable and most
likely live in the now versus the future.
Life Application New Testament Commentary : "The rich are not to consume their riches on selfish pleasures;
rather, they must use their money to do good. The general goal to do
good is broken down into three categories:
1. Being rich in
good works means practicing “hands-on” giving to others. People are
sometimes more effectively helped by personal involvement than by the giving of
material objects or money.
2. Giving generously
to those in need strikes a blow against the self-centeredness of our times.
We learn to do with less so that more may do with some.
3. Being always
ready to share with others improves our ability to respond quickly and
effectively. Experience can help us to always be ready to share.
We can experience a deep fellowship when
believers make their resources available to one another. Being rich in good
works may not necessarily benefit our financial statement, but in the long run
it will be a far more valuable asset in God’s eyes".
1Ti 6:20 Timothy, guard what God has
entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you
with their so-called knowledge. 1Ti 6:21 Some people have wandered from the faith by
following such foolishness. May God's grace be with you all.
The last piece is to avoid foolish
discussions. The Sadducee's and Pharisees were always trying to trap Jesus in
word games. Timothy would be challenged in the same manner by these false
teachers;
Dave
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