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1Timothy1CommentaryWilliamBarclay'sDailyStudyBible
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Verses120
Chapter1
THEROYALCOMMAND(1Timothy1:12)
1:12Paul,anapostleofChristJesus,bytheroyalcommandof
God,ourSaviour,andofJesusChrist,ourHope,writesthisletterto
Timothy,histruechildinthefaith.Grace,mercyandpeacebeto
youfromourLordJesusChrist.

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Andwhisperedtoourselvesthiswondrousthing,

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Itisalwaysaprivilegetodoeventhemostmenialthingsforsomeone
whomweloveandrespectandadmire.AllhislifetheChristianisonthe
businessoftheKing.

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Andseenthemightyworldthatliesoutside,

'We'rewantedforthebusinessoftheKing!'"

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(i)First,hecallshimselfanapostleofChristJesus.ApostleistheGreek
wordapostolos(Greek#652),fromtheverbapostellein(Greek#649)which
meanstosendoutanapostolos(Greek#652)wasonewhowassentout.
AsfarbackasHerodotusitmeansanenvoy,anambassador,onewhois
sentouttorepresenthiscountryandhisking.Paulalwaysregardedhimself
astheenvoyandambassadorofChrist.And,intruth,thatistheofficeof
everyChristian.Itisthefirstdutyofeveryambassadortoformaliaison
betweenthecountrytowhichheissentandthecountryfromwhichhehas
come.Heistheconnectinglink.AndthefirstdutyofeveryChristianisto
beaconnectinglinkbetweenhisfellowmenandJesusChrist.

"Lifecanneverbedullagain

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IfanymancanarriveatthisconsciousnessofbeingdespatchedbyGod,a
newsplendourentersintolife.Howeverhumblehispartmaybeinit,heis
onroyalservice.

[1]

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NeveramanmagnifiedhisofficeasPauldid.Hedidnotmagnifyitinpride
hemagnifieditinwonderthatGodhadchosenhimforatasklikethat.
Twiceintheopeningwordsofthisletterhelaysdownthegreatnessofhis
privilege.

(ii)Secondly,hesaysthatheisanapostlebytheroyalcommandofGod.
Thewordheusesisepitage(Greek#2003).ThisisthewordGreekusesfor
theinjunctionswhichsomeinviolablelawlaysonamanfortheroyal
commandwhichcomestoamanfromthekingandaboveallforthe
instructionswhichcometoamaneitherdirectlyorbysomeoraclefrom
God.Forinstance,amaninaninscriptiondedicatesanaltartothegoddess
Cybele,kat'(Greek#2596)epitagen(Greek#2003),inaccordancewiththe
commandofthegoddess,which,hetellsus,hadcometohiminadream.
Paulthoughtofhimselfasamanholdingtheking'scommission.

book:1Timothychapter:1

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PaulgoesontogivetoGodandtoJesustwogreattitles.

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HespeaksofGod,ourSaviour.Thisisanewwayofspeaking.Wedonot
findthistitleforGodinanyofPaul'searlierletters.Therearetwobackgroundsfromwhichitcomes.
(a)ItcomesfromanOldTestamentbackground.ItisMoses'chargeagainstIsraelthatJeshurun
"forsookGodwhomadehim,andscoffedattheRockofhisSalvation"(Deuteronomy32:15).The
PsalmistsingsofhowthegoodmanwillreceiverighteousnessfromtheGodofhissalvation(Psalms
24:5).ItisMary'ssong,"MysoulmagnifiestheLord,andmyspiritrejoicesinGodmySaviour"(Luke
1:4647).WhenPaulcalledGodSaviour,hewasgoingbacktoanideawhichhadalwaysbeendearto
Israel.
(b)Thereisapaganbackground.Itsohappenedthatjustatthistimethetitlesoter(Greek#4990),
Saviour,wasmuchinuse.Menhadalwaysusedit.IntheolddaystheRomanshadcalledScipio,their
greatgeneral,"ourhopeandoursalvation."ButatthisverytimeitwasthetitlewhichtheGreeksgaveto
Aesculapius,thegodofhealing.AnditwasoneofthetitleswhichNero,theRomanEmperor,hadtaken
tohimself.SointhisopeningsentencePaulistakingthetitlewhichwasmuchonthelipsofaseeking
andawistfulworldandgivingittotheonlypersontowhomitbelongedbyright.
WemustneverforgetthatPaulcalledGodSaviour.Itispossibletotakeaquitewrongideaofthe
Atonement.SometimespeoplespeakofitinawaywhichindicatesthatsomethingJesusdidpacifiedthe
angerofGod.TheideatheygiveisthatGodwasbentonourdestructionandthatsomehowhiswrath
wasturnedtolovebyJesus.NowhereintheNewTestamentisthereanysupportforthat.Itwasbecause
GodsolovedtheworldthathesentJesusintotheworld(John3:16).GodisSaviour.Wemustnever
thinkorpreachorteachofaGodwhohadtobepacifiedandpersuadedintolovingus,foreverything
beginsfromhislove.
THEHOPEOFTHEWORLD(1Timothy1:12continued)
PaulusesatitlewhichwastobecomeoneofthegreattitlesofJesus"ChristJesus,ourhope."Long
agothePsalmisthaddemandedofhimself:"Whyareyoucastdown,Omysoul?"Andhehadanswered:
"HopeinGod"(Psalms43:5).Paulhimselfspeaksof"Christinyou,thehopeofglory"(Colossians1:27).
JohnspeaksofthedazzlingprospectwhichconfrontedtheChristian,theprospectofbeinglikeChrist
andgoesontosay:"Everyonewhothushopespurifieshimselfasheispure"(1John3:23).
IntheearlyChurchthiswastobecomeoneofthemostprecioustitlesofChrist.IgnatiusofAntioch,
whenonhiswaytoexecutioninRome,writestotheChurchinEphesus:"BeofgoodcheerinGodthe
FatherandinJesusChristourcommonhope"(Ignatius:TotheEphesians21:2).Polycarpwrites:"Letus
thereforepersevereinourhopeandtheearnestofourrighteousness,whoisJesusChrist"(Epistleof
Polycarp8).
(i)MenfoundinChristthehopeofmoralvictoryandofselfconquest.Theancientworldknewitssin.
Epictetushadspokenwistfullyof"ourweaknessinnecessarythings."Senecahadsaidthat"wehateour
vicesandlovethematthesametime."Hesaid,"Wehavenotstoodbravelyenoughbyourgood
resolutionsdespiteourwillandresistancewehavelostourinnocence.Norisitonlythatwehaveacted
amissweshalldosototheend."Persius,theRomanpoet,wrotepoignantly:"Lettheguiltyseevirtue,
andpinethattheyhavelostherforever."Persiustalksof"filthyNattabenumbedbyvice."Theancient
worldknewitsmoralhelplessnessonlytoowellandChristcame,notonlytellingmenwhatwasright,but
givingthemthepowertodoit.Christgavetomenwhohadlostitthehopeofmoralvictoryinsteadof
defeat.
(ii)MenfoundinChristthehopeofvictoryovercircumstances.Christianitycameintotheworldinanage
ofthemostterriblepersonalinsecurity.WhenTacitus,theRomanhistorian,cametowritethehistoryof
thatveryageinwhichtheChristianChurchcameintobeing,hebeganbysaying,"Iamenteringuponthe
historyofaperiodrichindisaster,gloomywithwars,rentwithseditionsnay,savageinitsveryhoursof
peace.Fouremperorsperishedbytheswordtherewerethreecivilwarsthereweremorewithforeigners,
andsomehadthecharacterofbothatonce...Romewastedbyfiresitsoldesttemplesburnedthevery
capitolsetinflamesbyRomanhandsthedefilementofsacredritesadulteryinhighplacesthesea
crowdedwithexilesislandrocksdrenchedwithmurderyetwilderwasthefrenzyinRomenobility,
wealth,therefusalofoffice,itsacceptance,everythingwasacrime,andvirtuewasthesurestwayto
ruin.Norweretherewardsoftheinformerslessodiousthantheirdeeds.Onefoundhisspoilsina
priesthoodoraconsulateanotherinaprovincialgovernorship,anotherbehindthethrone.Allwasone
deliriumofhateandterrorslaveswerebribedtobetraytheirmasters,freedmentheirpatronsandhewho
hadnofoewasbetrayedbyhisfriend."(Tacitus:Histories1,2).AsGilbertMurraysaid,thewholeage
wassufferingfrom"thefailureofnerve."Menwerelongingforsomeringwallofdefenceagainst"the
advancingchaosoftheworld."ItwasChristwhoinsuchtimesgavementhestrengthtolive,andthe
courage,ifneedbe,todie.Inthecertaintythatnothingonearthcouldseparatethemfromtheloveof
GodinChristJesus,menfoundvictoryovertheterrorsoftheage.
(iii)MenfoundinChristthehopeofvictoryoverdeath.Theyfoundinhim,atoneandthesametime,
strengthformortalthingsandtheimmortalhope.Christ,ourhope,wasandstillshouldbethebattlecry
oftheChurch.
TIMOTHY,MYSON(1Timothy1:12continued)
ItistoTimothythatthisletterissent,andPaulwasneverabletospeakofhimwithoutaffectioninhis
voice.
TimothywasanativeofLystraintheprovinceofGalatia.ItwasaRomancolonyitcalleditself"the
mostbrilliantcolonyofLystra,"butinrealityitwasalittleplaceattheendsofthecivilizedearth.Its
importancewasthattherewasaRomangarrisonquarteredtheretokeepcontrolofthewildtribesofthe
Isaurianmountainswhichlaybeyond.ItwasonthefirstmissionaryjourneythatPaulandBarnabas
arrivedthere(Acts14:821).AtthattimethereisnomentionofTimothybutithasbeensuggestedthat,
whenPaulwasinLystra,hefoundalodginginTimothy'shome,inviewofthefactthatheknewwellthe
faithanddevotionofTimothy'smotherEuniceandofhisgrandmotherLois(2Timothy1:5).
OnthatfirstvisitTimothymusthavebeenveryyoung,buttheChristianfaithlaidholduponhim,andPaul
becamehishero.ItwasatPaul'svisittoLystraonthesecondmissionaryjourneythatlifebeganfor
Timothy(Acts16:13).Youngashewas,hehadbecomeoneoftheornamentsoftheChristianChurchin
Lystra.Therewassuchacharmandenthusiasmintheladthatallmenspokewellofhim.ToPaul,he
seemedtheverymantobehisassistant.Maybeeventhenhehaddreamsthatthisladwasthevery

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persontotraintotakeuphisworkwhenhisdaywasover.
TimothywasthechildofamixedmarriagehismotherwasaJewess,andhisfatheraGreek(Acts16:1).
Paulcircumcisedhim.ItwasnotthatPaulwasaslaveofthelaw,orthathesawincircumcisionany
specialvirtuebutheknewwellthatifTimothywastoworkamongsttheJews,therewouldbeaninitial
prejudiceagainsthimifhewasuncircumcised,andsohetookthisstepasapracticalmeasureto
increaseTimothy'susefulnessasanevangelist.
FromthattimeforwardTimothywasPaul'sconstantcompanion.HewasleftbehindatBeroeawithSilas
whenPaulescapedtoAthens,andlaterjoinedhimthere(Acts17:1415,Acts18:5).Hewassentas
Paul'semissarytoMacedonia(Acts19:22).HewastherewhenthecollectionfromtheChurcheswas
beingtakentoJerusalem(Acts20:4).HewaswithPaulinCorinthwhenPaulwrotehislettertoRome
(Romans16:21).HewasPaul'semissarytoCorinthwhentherewastroubleinthatunrulyChurch(1
Corinthians4:171Corinthians16:10).HewaswithPaulwhenhewrote2Corinthians(2Corinthians1:1
2Corinthians1:19).ItwasTimothywhomPaulsenttoseehowthingsweregoinginThessalonicaandhe
waswithPaulwhenhewrotehislettertothatChurch(1Thessalonians1:11Thessalonians3:21
Thessalonians3:6).HewaswithPaulinprisonwhenhewrotetoPhilippi,andPaulwasplanningtosend
himtoPhilippiashisrepresentative(Philippians1:1Philippians2:19).HewaswithPaulwhenhewrote
totheChurchatColossaeandtoPhilemon(Colossians1:1Philemon1:1).ConstantlyTimothywasby
Paul'sside,andwhenPaulhadadifficultjobtodoTimothywasthemansenttodoit.
OverandoveragainPaul'svoicevibrateswithaffectionwhenhespeaksofTimothy.Whenheissending
himtothatsadlydividedChurchatCorinth,hewrites:"IhavesenttoyouTimothy,mybelovedand
faithfulchildintheLord"(1Corinthians4:17).WhenheisplanningtosendhimtoPhilippi,hewrites:"I
havenoonelikehim....Asasonwithafatherhehasservedwithmeinthegospel"(Philippians2:20
Philippians2:22).Herehecallshim"histrueson."Thewordthatheusesfor"true"isgnesios(Greek
#1103).Ithastwomeanings.Itwasthenormalwordforalegitimatechildincontradistinctionto
illegitimate.Itwasthewordforgenuine,asopposedtocounterfeit.
TimothywasthemanwhomPaulcouldtrustandcouldsendanywhere,knowingthathewouldgo.Happy
indeedistheleaderwhopossessesalieutenantlikethat.Timothyisourexampleofhowweshouldserve
inthefaith.ChristandhisChurchneedservantslikethat.
GRACE,MERCYANDPEACE(1Timothy1:12continued)
Paulalwaysbeganhisletterswithablessing(Romans1:71Corinthians1:32Corinthians1:2Galatians
1:3Ephesians1:2Philippians1:2Colossians1:21Thessalonians1:12Thessalonians1:2Philemon
1:3).InalltheseotherlettersonlyGraceandPeaceoccur.ItisonlyintheletterstoTimothythatMercy
isused(2Timothy1:2Titus1:4).Letuslookatthesethreegreatwords.
(i)InGracetherearealwaysthreedominantideas.
(a)InclassicalGreekthewordmeansoutwardgraceorfavour,beauty,winsomeness,sweetness.
Usually,althoughnotalways,itisappliedtopersons.TheEnglishwordcharmcomesneartoexpressing
itsmeaning.Graceischaracteristicallyalovelyandawinsomething.
(b)IntheNewTestamentthereisalwaystheideaofsheergenerosity.Graceissomethingunearnedand
undeserved.Itisopposedtothatwhichisadebt.Paulsaysthatifitisacaseofearningthings,the
rewardisnotamatterofgrace,butofdebt(Romans4:4).Itisopposedtoworks.PaulsaysthatGod's
electionofhischosenpeopleisnottheconsequenceofworks,butofgrace(Romans11:6).
(c)IntheNewTestamentthereisalwaystheideaofsheeruniversality.AgainandagainPaulusesthe
wordgraceinconnectionwiththereceptionoftheGentilesintothefamilyofGod.HethanksGodforthe
gracegiventotheCorinthiansinJesusChrist(1Corinthians1:4).HetalksofthegraceofGodbestowed
ontheChurchesofMacedonia(2Corinthians8:1).HetalksoftheGalatiansbeingcalledintothegraceof
Christ(Galatians1:6).ThehopewhichcametotheThessalonianscamethroughgrace(2Thessalonians
2:16).ItwasGod'sgracewhichmadePaulanapostletotheGentiles(1Corinthians15:10).Itwasbythe
graceofGodthathemovedamongsttheCorinthians(2Corinthians1:12).ItwasbygracethatGodcalled
himandseparatedhimfromhismother'swomb(Galatians1:15).ItisthegracegiventohimbyGod
whichenableshimtowriteboldlytotheChurchatRome(Romans15:15).ToPaulthegreat
demonstrationofthegraceofGodwasthereceptionoftheGentilesintotheChurchandhisapostleship
tothem.
Graceisalovelythingitisafreethinganditisauniversalthing.AsF.J.Hortwrotesobeautifully:
"Graceisacomprehensiveword,gatheringupallthatmaybesupposedtobeexpressedinthesmileofa
heavenlyking,lookingdownuponhispeople."
(ii)PeacewasthenormalJewishwordofgreeting,and,inHebrewthought,itexpresses,notsimplythe
negativeabsenceoftrouble,but"themostcomprehensiveformofwellbeing."Itiseverythingwhich
makesforaman'shighestgood.ItisthestateamanisinwhenheiswithintheloveofGod.F.J.Hort
writes:"Peaceistheantithesistoeverykindofconflictandwarandmolestation,toenmitywithoutand
distractionwithin."
"Boweddownbeneathaloadofsin,
BySatansorelypressed,
Bywarwithoutandfearswithin,
Icometotheeforrest."
(iii)Mercyisthenewwordintheapostolicblessing.InGreekthewordiseleos(Greek#1656),andin
Hebrewchesed(Hebrew#2617).NowchesedhisthewordwhichisoftenintheOldTestamenttranslated
lovingkindnessandwhenPaulprayedformercyonTimothy,heissaying,toputitverysimply,
"Timothy,mayGodbegoodtoyou."Butthereismoretoitthanthat.Chesed(Hebrew#2617)isusedin
thePsalmsnofewerthanonehundredandtwentyseventimes.Andtimeandtimeagainithasthe
meaningofhelpintimeofneed.Itdenotes,asParryputsit,"God'sactiveinterventiontohelp."AsHort
putsit,"ItisthecomingdownoftheMostHightohelpthehelpless."InPsalms40:11thePsalmist
rejoices,"Thysteadfastloveandthyfaithfulnesseverpreserveme."InPsalms57:3hesays,"Hewill

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sendfromheavenandsaveme...Godwillsendforthhissteadfastloveandhisfaithfulness."InPsalms
86:1416hethinksoftheforcesoftheevilmenwhicharearrayedagainsthim,andcomfortshimselfwith
thethoughtthatGodis"aboundinginsteadfastloveandfaithfulness."ItisbyGod'sabundantmercythat
hehasgivenusthelivinghopeoftheresurrection(1Peter1:3).TheGentilesshouldglorifyGodforthat
mercywhichhasrescuedthemfromsinandhopelessness(Romans15:9).God'smercyisGodactiveto
save.ItmaywellbethatPauladdedMercytohistwousualwords,GraceandPeace,becauseTimothy
wasupagainstitandhewantedinonewordtotellhimthattheMostHighwasthehelpofthehelpless.
ERRORANDHERESY(1Timothy1:37)
1:37IamwritingtoyounowtoreinforcethepleathatIalreadymadetoyou,whenI
urgedyoutostayinEphesuswhileIwenttoMacedonia,thatyoumightpassonthe
ordertosomeofthepeoplethere,nottoteacherroneousnovelties,nortogivetheir
attentiontoidletalesandendlessgenealogies,whichonlysucceedinproducing
emptyspeculationsratherthantheeffectiveadministrationofGod'speople,which
shouldbebasedonfaith.TheinstructionwhichIgaveyouisdesignedtoproduce
lovewhichissuesfromapureheart,agoodconscienceandanundissemblingfaith.
ButsomeofthesepeopleofwhomIamtalkinghavenevereventriedtofindthe
rightroad,andhaveturnedasideoutofittoemptyanduselessdiscussions,intheir
claimtobecometeachersofthelaw,althoughtheydonotknowwhattheyare
talkingabout,nordotheyrealizetherealmeaningofthethingsaboutwhichthey
dogmatize.
ItisclearthatatthebackofthePastoralEpistlesthereissomeheresywhichisendangeringtheChurch.
Rightatthebeginningitwillbewelltotrytoseewhatthisheresyis.Wewillthereforecollectthefacts
aboutitnow.
Thisverypassagebringsusfacetofacewithtwoofitsgreatcharacteristics.Itdealtinidletalesand
endlessgenealogies.Thesetwothingswerenotpeculiartothisheresybutweredeeplyengrainedinthe
thoughtoftheancientworld.
First,theidletales.Oneofthecharacteristicsoftheancientworldwasthatthepoetsandeventhe
historianslovedtoworkoutromanticandfictitioustalesaboutthefoundationofcitiesandoffamilies.
Theywouldtellhowsomegodcametoearthandfoundedthecityortookinmarriagesomemortalmaid
andfoundedafamily.Theancientworldwasfullofstorieslikethat.
Second,theendlessgenealogies.Theancientworldhadapassionforgenealogies.Wecanseethat
evenintheOldTestamentwithitschaptersofnamesandintheNewTestamentwiththegenealogiesof
JesuswithwhichMatthewandLukebegintheirgospels.AmanlikeAlexandertheGreathada
completelyartificialpedigreeconstructedinwhichhetracedhislineagebackontheonesidetoAchilles
andAndromacheandontheothertoPerseusandHercules.
ItwouldbetheeasiestthingintheworldforChristianitytogetlostinendlessandfabulousstoriesabout
originsandinelaborateandimaginarygenealogies.Thatwasadangerwhichwasinherentinthesituation
inwhichChristianthoughtwasdeveloping.
Itwaspeculiarlythreateningfromtwodirections.
ItwasthreateningfromtheJewishdirection.TotheJewstherewasnobookintheworldliketheOld
Testament.Theirscholarsspentalifetimestudyingitandexpoundingit.IntheOldTestamentmany
chaptersandmanysectionsarelonggenealogiesandoneofthefavouriteoccupationsoftheJewish
scholarswastoconstructanimaginaryandedifyingbiographyforeverynameinthelist!Amancouldgo
onforeverdoingthatanditmaybethatthatwaswhatwaspartlyinPaul'smind.Hemaybesaying,
"WhenyououghttobeworkingattheChristianlife,youareworkingoutimaginarybiographiesand
genealogies.Youarewastingyourtimeonelegantfripperies,whenyoushouldbegettingdowntolifeand
living."ThismaybeawarningtousnevertoallowChristianthinkingtogetlostinspeculationswhichdo
notmatter.
THESPECULATIONSOFTHEGREEKS(1Timothy1:37continued)
ButthisdangercamewithanevengreaterthreatfromtheGreekside.Atthistimeinhistorytherewas
developingaGreeklineofthoughtwhichcametobeknownasGnosticism.Wefinditspeciallyinthe
backgroundofthePastoralEpistles,theLettertotheColossiansandtheFourthGospel.
Gnosticismwasentirelyspeculative.Itbeganwiththeproblemoftheoriginofsinandofsuffering.IfGod
isaltogethergood,hecouldnothavecreatedthem.Howthendidtheygetintotheworld?TheGnostic
answerwasthatcreationwasnotcreationoutofnothingbeforetimebeganmatterexisted.They
believedthatthismatterwasessentiallyimperfect,anevilthingandoutofthisessentiallyevilmatterthe
worldwascreated.
Nosoonerhadtheygotthislengththantheyranintoanotherdifficulty.Ifmatterisessentiallyeviland
Godisessentiallygood,Godcouldnothimselfhavetouchedthismatter.Sotheybegananothersetof
speculations.TheysaidthatGodputoutanemanation,andthatthisemanationputoutanother
emanation,andthesecondemanationputoutathirdemanationandsoonandonuntiltherecameinto
beinganemanationsodistantfromGodthathecouldhandlematterandthatitwasnotGodbutthis
emanationwhocreatedtheworld.
Theywentfurther.TheyheldthateachsuccessiveemanationknewlessaboutGodsothattherecamea
stageintheseriesofemanationswhentheemanationswerecompletelyignorantofhimand,more,there
wasafinalstagewhentheemanationswerenotonlyignorantofGodbutactivelyhostiletohim.Sothey
arrivedatthethoughtthatthegodwhocreatedtheworldwasquiteignorantofandhostiletothetrueGod.
LaterontheywentevenfurtherandidentifiedtheGodoftheOldTestamentwiththiscreatinggod,and
theGodoftheNewTestamentwiththetrueGod.
Theyfurtherprovidedeachoneoftheemanationswithacompletebiography.Andsotheybuiltupan
elaboratemythologyofgodsandemanations,eachwithhisstoryandhisbiographyandhisgenealogy.
Thereisnodoubtthattheancientworldwasriddledwiththatkindofthinkingandthatitevenenteredthe
Churchitself.ItmadeJesusmerelythegreatestoftheemanations,theoneclosesttoGod.Itclassed
himasthehighestlinkintheendlesschainbetweenGodandman.

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ThisGnosticlineofthoughthadcertaincharacteristicswhichappearallthroughthePastoralEpistlesas
thecharacteristicsofthosewhoseheresieswerethreateningtheChurchandthepurityofthefaith.
(i)Gnosticismwasobviouslyhighlyspeculative,anditwasthereforeintenselyintellectuallysnobbish.It
believedthatallthisintellectualspeculationwasquitebeyondthementalgraspofordinarypeopleand
wasforachosenfew,theeliteoftheChurch.SoTimothyiswarnedagainst"godlesschatterand
contradictionsofwhatisfalselycalledknowledge"(1Timothy6:20).Heiswarnedagainstareligionof
speculativequestionsinsteadofhumblefaith(1Timothy1:4).Heiswarnedagainstthemanwhoisproud
ofhisintellectbutreallyknowsnothinganddotesaboutquestionsandstrifesofwords(1Timothy6:4).
Heistoldtoshun"godlesschatter,"fortheycanproduceonlyungodliness(2Timothy2:16).Heistoldto
avoid"stupid,senselesscontroversies"whichintheendcanonlyengenderstrife(2Timothy2:23).
Further,thePastoralEpistlesgooutoftheirwaytostressthefactthatthisideaofanintellectual
aristocracyisquitewrong,forGod'sloveisuniversal.Godwantsallmentobesavedandallmento
cometoaknowledgeofthetruth(1Timothy2:4).GodistheSaviourofallmen,especiallythosewho
believe(1Timothy4:10).TheChristianChurchwouldhavenothingtodowithanykindoffaithwhichwas
foundedonintellectualspeculationandsetupanarrogantintellectualaristocracy.
(ii)Gnosticismwasconcernedwiththislongseriesofemanations.Itgavetoeachofthemabiography
andapedigreeandanimportanceinthechainbetweenGodandmen.Thesegnosticswereconcerned
with"endlessgenealogies"(1Timothy1:4).Theywentinfor"godlessandsillymyths"aboutthem(1
Timothy4:7).Theyturnedtheirearsawayfromthetruthtomyths(2Timothy4:4).Theydealtinfables
liketheJewishmyths(Titus1:14).Worstofall,theythoughtintermsoftwogodsandofJesusasoneof
awholeseriesofmediatorsbetweenGodandmanwhereas"thereisoneGod,andonemediator
betweenGodandmen,themanChristJesus"(1Timothy2:5).ThereisonlyoneKingofages,immortal,
invisible,thereisonlyoneGod(1Timothy1:17).Christianityhadtorepudiateareligionwhichtooktheir
uniqueplacefromGodandfromJesusChrist.
THEETHICSOFHERESY(1Timothy1:37continued)
ThedangerofGnosticismwasnotonlyintellectual.Ithadseriousmoralandethicalconsequences.We
mustrememberthatitsbasicbeliefwasthatmatterwasessentiallyevilandspiritalonewasgood.That
issuedintwooppositeresults.
(i)Ifmatterisevil,thebodyisevilandthebodymustbedespisedandhelddown.ThereforeGnosticism
couldanddidissueinarigidasceticism.Itforbadementomarry,fortheinstinctsofthebodyweretobe
suppressed.Itlaiddownstrictfoodlaws,fortheneedsofthebodymustasfaraspossiblebeeliminated.
SothePastoralsspeakofthosewhoforbidtomarryandwhocommandtoabstainfrommeats(1Timothy
4:3).TheanswertothesepeopleisthateverythingwhichGodhascreatedisgoodandistobereceived
withthanksgiving(1Timothy4:4).TheGnosticlookedoncreationasanevilthing,theworkofanevil
godtheChristianlooksoncreationasanoblething,thegiftofagoodGod.TheChristianlivesinaworld
whereallthingsarepuretheGnosticlivedinaworldwhereallthingsweredefiled(Titus1:15).
(ii)ButGnosticismcouldissueinpreciselytheoppositeethicalbelief.Ifthebodyisevil,itdoesnot
matterwhatamandoeswithit.Therefore,lethimsatehisappetites.Thesethingsareofnoimportance,
thereforeamancanusehisbodyinthemostlicentiouswayanditmakesnodifference.SothePastorals
speakofthosewholeadawayweakwomenuntiltheyareladenwithsinandthevictimsofallkindsof
lusts(2Timothy3:6).SuchmenprofesstoknowGod,buttheydenyhimbytheirdeeds(Titus1:16).
Theyusedtheirreligiousbeliefsasanexcuseforimmorality.
(iii)Gnosticismhadstillanotherconsequence.TheChristianbelievesintheresurrectionofthebody.That
isnottosaythatheeverbelievedthatweareresurrectedwiththismortal,humanbodybuthealways
believedthatafterresurrectionfromthedeadamanwouldhaveaspiritualbody,providedbyGod.Paul
discussesthiswholequestionin1Corinthians15:158.TheGnosticheldthattherewasnosuchthingas
theresurrectionofthebody(2Timothy2:18).Afterdeathamanwouldbeakindofdisembodiedspirit.
ThebasicdifferenceisthattheGnosticbelievedinthebody'sdestructiontheChristianbelievesinits
redemption.TheGnosticbelievedinwhathewouldcallsoulsalvationtheChristianbelievesinwhole
salvation.
SobehindthePastoralEpistlestherearethesedangerousheretics,whogavetheirlivestointellectual
speculations,whosawthisasanevilworldandthecreatinggodasevil,whoputbetweentheworldand
Godanendlessseriesofemanationsandlessergodsandspenttheirtimeequippingeachofthemwith
endlessfablesandgenealogies,whoreducedJesustothepositionofalinkinachainandtookawayhis
uniqueness,wholivedeitherinarigorousasceticismoranunbridledlicentiousness,whodeniedthe
resurrectionofthebody.ItwastheirhereticalbeliefsthatthePastoralswerewrittentocombat.
THEMINDOFTHEHERETIC(1Timothy1:37continued)
Inthispassagethereisaclearpictureofthemindofthedangerousheretic.Thereisakindofheresyin
whichamandiffersfromorthodoxbeliefbecausehehashonestlythoughtthingsoutandcannotagree
withit.Hedoesnottakeanyprideinbeingdifferentheisdifferentsimplybecausehehastobe.Sucha
heresydoesnotspoilaman'scharacteritmayinfactenhancehischaracter,becausehehasreally
thoughtouthisfaithandisnotlivingonasecondhandorthodoxy.Butthatisnotthehereticwhose
pictureisdrawnhere.Herearedistinguishedfivecharacteristicsofthedangerousheretic.
(i)Heisdrivenbythedesirefornovelty.Heislikesomeonewhomustbeinthelatestfashionandmust
undergothelatestcraze.Hedespisesoldthingsfornobetterreasonthanthattheyareold,anddesires
newthingsfornobetterreasonthanthattheyarenew.Christianityhasalwaystheproblemofpresenting
oldtruthinanewway.Thetruthdoesnotchange,buteveryagemustfinditsownwayofpresentingit.
Everyteacherandpreachermusttalktomeninlanguagewhichtheyunderstand.Theoldtruthandthe
newpresentationgoeverhandinhand.
(ii)Heexaltsthemindattheexpenseoftheheart.Hisconceptionofreligionisspeculationandnot
experience.Christianityhasneverdemandedthatamanshouldstopthinkingforhimself,butitdoes
demandthathisthinkingshouldbedominatedbyapersonalexperienceofJesusChrist.
(iii)Hedealsinargumentinsteadofaction.Heismoreinterestedinabstrusediscussionthaninthe
effectiveadministrationofthehouseholdofthefaith.Heforgetsthatthetruthisnotonlysomethingwhich
amanacceptswithhismind,butisalsosomethingwhichhetranslatesintoaction.Longagothe
distinctionbetweentheGreekandtheJewwasdrawn.TheGreeklovedargumentforthesakeof

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argumenttherewasnothingthathelikedbetterthantositwithagroupoffriendsandindulgeinaseries
ofmentalacrobaticsandenjoy"thestimulusofamentalhike."Buthewasnotspeciallyinterestedin
reachingconclusions,andinevolvingaprincipleofaction.TheJew,too,likedargumentbuthewished
everyargumenttoendinadecisionwhichdemandedaction.Thereisalwaysadangerofheresywhenwe
fallinlovewithwordsandforgetdeeds,fordeedsaretheacidtestbywhicheveryargumentmustbe
tested.
(iv)Heismovedbyarroganceratherthanbyhumility.Helooksdownwithacertaincontemptonsimple
mindedpeoplewhocannotfollowhisflightsofintellectualspeculation.Heregardsthosewhodonotreach
hisownconclusionsasignorantfools.TheChristianhassomehowtocombineanimmovablecertainty
withagentlehumility.
(v)Heisguiltyofdogmatismwithoutknowledge.Hedoesnotreallyknowwhatheistalkingaboutnor
reallyunderstandthesignificanceofthethingsaboutwhichhedogmatizes.Thestrangethingabout
religiousargumentisthateveryonethinksthathehasarighttoexpressadogmaticopinion.Inallother
fieldswedemandthatapersonshouldhaveacertainknowledgebeforehelaysdownthelaw.Butthere
arethosewhodogmatizeabouttheBibleanditsteachingalthoughtheyhavenevereventriedtofindout
whattheexpertsinlanguageandhistoryhavesaid.ItmaywellbethattheChristiancausehassuffered
morefromignorantdogmatismthanfromanythingelse.
WhenwethinkofthecharacteristicsofthosewhoweretroublingtheChurchatEphesuswecanseethat
theirdescendantsarestillwithus.
THEMINDOFTHECHRISTIANTHINKER(1Timothy1:37continued)
AsthispassagedrawsthepictureofthethinkerwhodisturbstheChurch,italsodrawsthepictureofthe
reallyChristianthinker.He,too,hasfivecharacteristics.
(i)Histhinkingisbasedonfaith.FaithmeanstakingGodathisworditmeansbelievingthatheisas
Jesusproclaimedhimtobe.Thatistosay,theChristianthinkerbeginsfromtheprinciplethatJesus
ChristhasgiventhefullrevelationofGod.
(ii)Histhinkingismotivatedbylove.Paul'swholepurposeistoproducelove.Tothinkinlovewillalways
saveusfromcertainthings.Itwillsaveusfromarrogantthinking.Itwillsaveusfromcontemptuous
thinking.Itwillsaveusfromcondemningeitherthatwithwhichwedonotagree,orthatwhichwedonot
understand.Itwillsaveusfromexpressingourviewsinsuchawaythatwehurtotherpeople.Love
savesusfromdestructivethinkinganddestructivespeaking.Tothinkinloveisalwaystothinkin
sympathy.Themanwhoarguesinlovearguesnottodefeathisopponent,buttowinhim.
(iii)Histhinkingcomesfromapureheart.Herethewordusedisverysignificant.Itiskatharos(Greek
#2513),whichoriginallysimplymeantcleanasopposedtosoiledordirty.Lateritcametohavecertain
mostsuggestiveuses.Itwasusedofcornthathasbeenwinnowedandcleansedofallchaff.Itwasused
ofanarmywhichhadbeenpurifiedofallcowardlyandundisciplinedsoldiersuntiltherewasnothingleft
butfirstclassfightingmen.Itwasusedofsomethingwhichwaswithoutanydebasingadmixture.So,
then,apureheartisaheartwhosemotivesareabsolutelypureandabsolutelyunmixed.Intheheartof
theChristianthinkerthereisnodesiretoshowhowcleverheis,nodesiretowinapurelydebating
victory,nodesiretoshowuptheignoranceofhisopponent.Hisonlydesireistohelpandtoillumineand
toleadnearertoGod.TheChristianthinkerismovedonlybyloveoftruthandloveformen.
(iv)Histhinkingcomesfromagoodconscience.TheGreekwordforconscienceissuneidesis(Greek
#4893).Itliterallymeansaknowingwith.Therealmeaningofconscienceisaknowingwithoneself.To
haveagoodconscienceistobeabletolookinthefacetheknowledgewhichoneshareswithnoonebut
oneselfandnotbeashamed.EmersonremarkedofSenecathathesaidtheloveliestthings,ifonlyhe
hadtherighttosaythem.TheChristianthinkeristhemanwhosethoughtsandwhosedeedsgivehimthe
righttosaywhathedoesandthatisthemostacidtestofall.
(v)TheChristianthinkeristhemanofundissemblingfaith.Thephraseliterallymeansthefaithinwhich
thereisnohypocrisy.ThatsimplymeansthatthegreatcharacteristicoftheChristianthinkerissincerity.
Heissincerebothinhisdesiretofindthetruthandinhisdesiretocommunicateit.
THOSEWHONEEDNOLAW(1Timothy1:811)
1:811Weknowthatthelawisgood,ifamanusesitlegitimately,intheawareness
thatthelawwasnotinstitutedtodealwithgoodmen,butwiththelawlessandthe
undisciplined,theirreverentandthesinners,theimpiousandthepolluted,thosewho
havesunksolowthattheystriketheirfathersandtheirmothers,murderers,
fornicators,homosexuals,slavedealersandkidnappers,liars,perjurers,andall
thosewhoareguiltyofanythingwhichisthereverseofsoundteaching,that
teachingwhichisinaccordancewiththegloriousgospeloftheblessedGod,that
gospelwhichhasbeenentrustedtome.
Thispassagebeginswithwhatwasafavouritethoughtintheancientworld.Theplaceofthelawisto
dealwithevildoers.Thegoodmandoesnotneedanylawtocontrolhisactionsortothreatenhimwith
punishmentsandinaworldofgoodmentherewouldbenoneedforlawsatall.
Antiphanes,theGreek,hadit:"Hewhodoesnowrongneedsnolaw."ItwastheclaimofAristotlethat
"philosophyenablesamantodowithoutexternalcontrolthatwhichothersdobecauseoffearofthe
laws."Ambrose,thegreatChristianbishop,wrote:"Thejustmanhasthelawofhisownmind,ofhisown
equityandofhisownjusticeashisstandardandthereforeheisnotrecalledfromfaultbyterrorof
punishment,butbytheruleofhonour."PaganandChristianalikeregardedtruegoodnessassomething
whichhaditssourceinaman'sheartassomethingwhichwasnotdependentontherewardsand
punishmentsofthelaw.
ButinonethingthepaganandtheChristiandiffered.Thepaganlookedbacktoanancientgoldentime
whenallthingsweregoodandnolawwasneeded.Ovid,theRomanpoet,drewoneofthemostfamous
picturesofthatancientgoldentime(Metamorphoses1:90112)."Goldenwasthatfirstage,whichwithno
onetocompel,withoutalaw,ofitsownwill,keptfaithanddidtheright.Therewasnofearofpunishment,
nothreateningwordsweretobereadonbrazentabletsnosuppliantthronggazedfearfullyuponthe
judge'sfacebutwithoutjudgesmenlivedsecure.Notyethadthepinetree,felledonitsnative

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mountains,descendedthenceintothewateryplaintovisitotherlandsmenknewnoshoresexcepttheir
own.Nor,yetwerecitiesbegirtwithsteepmoatstherewerenotrumpetsofstraight,nohornsofcurving
brass,noswordsorhelmets.Therewasnoneedatallofarmedmen,fornations,securefromwar's
alarms,passedtheyearsingentlepeace."Tacitus,theRomanhistorian,hadthesamepicture(Annals3:
26)."Intheearliesttimes,whenmenhadasyetnoevilpassions,theyledblameless,guiltlesslives,
withouteitherpunishmentorrestraint.Ledbytheirownnaturetopursuenonebutvirtuousends,they
requirednorewardsandastheydesirednothingcontrarytotheright,therewasnoneedforpainsand
penalties."Theancientworldlookedbackandlongedforthedaysthatweregone.ButtheChristianfaith
doesnotlookbacktoalostgoldenageitlooksforwardtothedaywhentheonlylawwillbetheloveof
Christwithinaman'sheart,foritiscertainthatthedayoflawcannotenduntilthedayoflovedawns.
Thereshouldbeonlyonecontrollingfactorinthelivesofeveryoneofus.Ourgoodnessshouldcome,
notfromfearofthelaw,notevenfromfearofjudgment,butfromfearofdisappointingtheloveofChrist
andofgrievingthefatherlyheartofGod.TheChristian'sdynamiccomesfromthefactthatheknowssin
isnotonlybreakingGod'slawbutalsobreakinghisheart.ItisnotthelawofGodbuttheloveofGod
whichconstrainsus.
THOSEWHOMTHELAWCONDEMNS(1Timothy1:811continued)
Inanidealstate,whentheKingdomcomes,therewillbenonecessityforanylawotherthantheloveof
Godwithinaman'sheartbutasthingsare,thecaseisverydifferent.AndherePaulsetsoutacatalogue
ofsinswhichthelawmustcontrolandcondemn.Theinterestofthepassageisthatitshowsusthe
backgroundagainstwhichChristianitygrewup.Thislistofsinsisinfactadescriptionoftheworldin
whichtheearlyChristianslivedandmovedandhadtheirbeing.Nothingshowsussowellhowthe
ChristianChurchwasalittleislandofpurityinaviciousworld.Wetalkaboutitbeinghardtobea
Christianinmoderncivilizationwehaveonlytoreadapassagelikethistoseehowinfinitelyharderit
musthavebeeninthecircumstancesinwhichtheChurchfirstbegan.Letustakethisterriblelistand
lookattheitemsonit.
Therearethelawless(anomoi,Greek#459).Theyarethosewhoknowthelawsofrightandwrongand
breakthemopeneyed.Noonecanblameamanforbreakingalawhedoesnotknowexistsbutthe
lawlessarethosewhodeliberatelyviolatethelawsinordertosatisfytheirownambitionsanddesires.
Therearetheundisciplined(anupotaktoi,Greek#506).Theyaretheunrulyandtheinsubordinate,those
whorefusetoobeyanyauthority.Theyarelikesoldierswhomutinouslydisobeythewordofcommand.
Theyareeithertooproudortoounbridledtoacceptanycontrol.
Therearetheirreverent(asebeis,Greek#765).Asebeisisaterribleword.Itdescribesnotindifferencenor
thelapseintosin.Itdescribes"positiveandactiveirreligion,"thespiritwhichdefiantlywithholdsfrom
Godthatwhichishisright.Itdescribeshumannature"inbattlearrayagainstGod."
Therearethesinners(hamartoloi,Greek#268).Initscommonestusagethisworddescribescharacter.It
canbeused,forinstance,ofaslavewhoisoflaxanduselesscharacter.Itdescribesthepersonwho
hasnomoralstandardsleft.
Therearetheimpious(anosioi,Greek#462).Hosios(Greek#3741)isanobleworditdescribes,as
Trenchputsit,"theeverlastingordinancesofright,whichnolaworcustomofmanhasconstituted,for
theyareanteriortoalllawandcustom."Thethingswhicharehosios(Greek#3741)arepartofthevery
constitutionoftheuniverse,theeverlastingsanctities.TheGreek,forinstance,shudderinglydeclared
thattheEgyptiancustomwherebrothercouldmarrysisterandthePersiancustomwheresoncouldmarry
mother,wereanosia,unholy.Themanwhoisanosios(Greek#462)isworsethanamerelawbreaker.He
isthemanwhoviolatestheultimatedecenciesoflife.
Therearethepolluted(bebeloi,Greek#952).Bebelosisanuglywordwithastrangehistory.Itoriginally
meantsimplythatwhichcanbetroddenupon,incontradistinctiontothatwhichissacredtosomegod
andthereforeinviolable.Itthencametomeanprofaneinoppositiontosacred,thenthemanwhoprofanes
thesacredthings,whodesecratesGod'sday,disobeyshislawsandbelittleshisworship.Themanwho
isbebelos(Greek#952)soilseverythinghetouches.
Therearethosewhostrikeorevenkilltheirparents(patraloai,Greek#3964,andmetraloai,Greek
#3389).UnderRomanlawasonwhostruckhisparentswasliabletodeath.Thewordsdescribesonsor
daughterswhoarelosttogratitude,losttorespectandlosttoshame.Anditmusteverberemembered
thatthismostcruelofblowscanbeone,notuponthebody,butupontheheart.
Therearethemurderers(androphonoi,Greek#409),literallymanslayers.PaulisthinkingoftheTen
Commandmentsandofhowbreachafterbreachofthemcharacterizestheheathenworld.Wemustnot
thinkthatthisatleasthasnothingtodowithus,forJesuswidenedthecommandmenttoincludenotonly
theactofmurder,butalsothefeelingofangeragainstabrother.
Therearethefornicatorsandthehomosexuals(pornoi,Greek#4205,andarsenokoitai,Greek#733).Itis
difficultforustorealizethestateoftheancientworldinmattersofsexualmorality.Itwasriddledwith
unnaturalvice.Oneoftheextraordinarythingswastheactualconnectionofimmoralityandreligion.The
TempleofAphrodite,goddessoflove,atCorinthhadattachedtoitathousandpriestesseswhowere
sacredprostitutesandwhoateveningcamedowntothecitystreetsandpliedtheirtrade.Itissaidthat
SolonwasthefirstlawmakerinAthenstolegalizeprostitutionandthatwiththeprofitsofthepublic
brothelsheinstitutedanewtemplewasbuilttoAphrodite,thegoddessoflove.
E.F.BrownwasamissionaryinIndia,andinhiscommentaryonthePastoralEpistleshequotesan
extraordinarysectionfromthePenalCodeofIndia.Asectionofthatcodeforbadeobscene
representationsandthenwentontosay:"Thissectiondoesnotextendtoanyrepresentationor
sculpture,engraved,paintedorotherwiserepresentedonorinanytemple,oranycarusedforthe
conveyanceofidols,orkeptorusedforanyreligiouspurpose."Itisanextraordinarythingthatinthenon
Christianreligionstimeandtimeagainimmoralityandobscenityflourishundertheveryprotectionof
religion.Ithasoftenbeensaidandsaidtrulythatchastitywastheonecompletelynewvirtuewhich
Christianitybroughtintothisworld.Itwasnoeasythingintheearlydaystoendeavourtoliveaccording
totheChristianethicinaworldlikethat.
Therearetheandrapodistai(Greek#405).Thewordmayeithermeanslavedealersorslavekidnappers.
Possiblybothmeaningsareinvolvedhere.Itistruethatslaverywasanintegralpartoftheancientworld.

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ItistruethatAristotledeclaredthatcivilizationwasfoundedonslavery,thatcertainmenandwomen
existedonlytoperformthemenialtasksoflifefortheconvenienceoftheculturedclasses.Butevenin
theancientworldvoiceswereraisedagainstslavery.Philospokeofslavedealersasthose"whodespoil
menoftheirmostpreciouspossession,theirfreedom."
Butthismoreprobablyreferstokidnappersofslaves.Slaveswerevaluableproperty.Anordinaryslave
withnospecialgiftsfetchedfrom16to20Britishpounds.Aspeciallyaccomplishedslavewouldfetch
threeorfourtimesasmuch.Beautifulyouthswereinspecialdemandaspagesandcupbearersand
wouldfetchasmuchas800or900Britishpounds.MarcusAntoniusissaidtohavepaid2,000British
poundsfortwowellmatchedyouthswhowerewronglyrepresentedtobetwins.InthedayswhenRome
wasspeciallyeagertolearntheartsofGreeceandslaveswhowereskilledinGreekliteratureandmusic
andartwerespeciallyvaluable,acertainLutatiusDaphniswassoldfor3,500Britishpounds.Theresult
wasthatfrequentlyvaluableslaveswereeitherseducedfromtheirmastersorkidnapped.Thekidnapping
ofspeciallybeautifulorspeciallyaccomplishedslaveswasacommonfeatureofancientlife.
Finally,thereareliars(pseustai,Greek#5583)andperjurers(epiorkoi,Greek#1965),menwhodidnot
hesitatetotwistthetruthtogaindishonourableends.
HereisavividpictureoftheatmosphereinwhichtheancientChurchgrewup.Itwasagainstaninfection
likethatthatthewriterofthePastoralssoughttoprotecttheChristiansinhischarge.
THECLEANSINGWORD(1Timothy1:811continued)
IntothisworldcametheChristianmessage,andthispassagetellsusfourthingsaboutit.
(i)Itissoundteaching.Thewordusedforsound(hugiainein,Greek#5198)literallymeanshealthgiving.
Christianityisanethicalreligion.Itdemandsfromamannotonlythekeepingofcertainrituallaws,but
thelivingofagoodlife.E.F.BrowndrawsacomparisonbetweenitandIslamaMohammedanmaybe
regardedasaveryholymanifheobservescertainceremonialrituals,eventhoughhismorallifeisquite
unclean.HequotesawriteronMorocco:"ThegreatblotonthecreedofIslamisthatpreceptandpractice
arenotexpectedtogotogether,exceptasregardstheritual,sothatamanmaybenotoriouslywicked
yetesteemedreligious,havinghisblessingsoughtasthatofonewhohaspowerwithGod,withoutthe
slightestsenseofincongruity.ThepositionofthingswasverywellputtomeonedaybyaMoorinFez,
whoremarked:'Doyouwanttoknowwhatourreligionis?Wepurifyourselveswithwaterwhilewe
contemplateadulterywegotothemosquetoprayandaswedosowethinkhowbesttocheatour
neighbourswegivealmsatthedoorandgobacktoourshoptorobwereadourKoransandgooutto
commitunmentionablesinswefastandgoonpilgrimageandyetwelieandkill.'"Itmustalwaysbe
rememberedthatChristianitydoesnotmeanobservingaritual,evenifthatritualconsistsofbiblereading
andchurchgoingitmeanslivingagoodlife.Christianity,ifitisreal,ishealthgivingitisthemoral
antisepticwhichalonecancleanselife.
(ii)Itisagloriousgospelthatistosay,itisgloriousgoodnews.Itisgoodnewsofforgivenessforpast
sinsandofpowertoconquersininthedaystocome,goodnewsofGod'smercy,God'scleansingand
God'sgrace.
(iii)ItisgoodnewswhichcomesfromGod.TheChristiangospelisnotadiscoverymadebymanitis
somethingrevealedbyGod.ItdoesnotofferonlythehelpofmanitoffersthepowerofGod.
(iv)Thatgoodnewscomesthroughmen.ItwasentrustedtoPaultobringittoothers.Godmakeshis
offerandheneedshismessengers.TherealChristianisthepersonwhohashimselfclosedwiththeoffer
ofGodandhasrealizedthathecannotkeepsuchgoodnewstohimselfbutmustshareitwithotherswho
havenotyetfoundit.
SAVEDTOSERVE(1Timothy1:1217)
1:1217IgivethankstoJesusChrist,ourLord,whohasfilledmewithhispower,
thatheshowedthathebelievedthathecouldtrustme,byappointingmetohis
service,althoughIwasformerlyaninsulter,apersecutorandamanofinsolentand
brutalviolence.ButIreceivedmercyfromhim,becauseitwasinignorancethatI
actedthus,inthedayswhenIdidnotbelieve.ButthegraceofourLordrosehigher
thanmysin,andIfounditinthefaithandloveofthosewhoselivesarelivedin
JesusChrist.Thisisasayingonwhichwecanrely,andwhichwearecompletely
boundtoaccept,thatChristJesuscameintotheworldtosavesinnersofwhomI
amchief.ThiswaswhyIreceivedmercysothatinmeJesusChristmightdisplay
allthatpatienceofhis,sothatImightbethefirstoutlinesketchofthosewhowould
onedaycometobelieveinhim,thattheymightfindeternallife.TotheKing,eternal,
immortal,invisible,totheonlyGod,behonourandgloryforeverandever.Amen.
Thispassagebeginswithaverypaeanofthanksgiving.TherewerefourtremendousthingsforwhichPaul
wishedtothankJesusChrist.
(i)Hethankedhimbecausehechosehim.PaulneverhadthefeelingthathehadchosenChrist,but
alwaysthatChristhadchosenhim.Itwasasif,whenhewasheadingstraightfordestruction,Jesus
Christhadlaidhishanduponhisshoulderandarrestedhimintheway.Itwasasif,whenhewasbusy
throwingawayhislife,JesusChristhadsuddenlybroughthimtohissenses.InthedaysofthewarI
knewaPolishairman.Hehadcrowdedmorethrillinghairbreadthescapesfromdeathandfromworseinto
afewyearsthanthevastmajorityofmendointoalifetime.Sometimeshewouldtellthestoryofescape
fromoccupiedEurope,ofparachutedescentsfromtheair,ofrescuefromthesea,andattheendofthis
amazingodyssey,hewouldalwayssay,withalookofwonderinhiseyes:"AndnowIamGod'sman."
ThatishowPaulfelthewasChrist'smanforChristhadchosenhim.
(ii)Hethankedhimbecausehetrustedhim.ItwastoPaulanamazingthing,thathe,thearchpersecutor,
hadbeenchosenasthemissionaryofChrist.ItwasnotonlythatJesusChristhadforgivenhimitwas
thatChristtrustedhim.Sometimesweforgiveamanwhohascommittedsomemistakeorbeenguiltyof
somesin,butwemakeitveryclearthathispastmakesitimpossibleforustotrusthimagainwithany
responsibility.ButChristhadnotonlyforgivenPaulheentrustedhimwithworktodo.Themanwhohad
beenChrist'spersecutorhadbeenmadehisambassador.
(iii)Hethankedhimbecausehehadappointedhim.WemustbeverycarefultonotethattowhichPaul

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felthimselfappointed.Hewasappointedtoservice.Paulneverthoughtofhimselfasappointedto
honour,ortoleadershipwithintheChurch.Hewassavedtoserve.PlutarchtellsthatwhenaSpartanwon
avictoryinthegames,hisrewardwasthathemightstandbesidehiskinginbattle.ASpartanwrestlerat
theOlympicgameswasofferedaveryconsiderablebribetoabandonthestrugglebutherefused.
Finally,afteraterrificeffort,hewonhisvictory.Someonesaidtohim:"Well,Spartan,whathaveyougot
outofthiscostlyvictoryyouhavewon?"Heanswered:"Ihavewontheprivilegeofstandinginfrontof
mykinginbattle."Hisrewardwastoserveand,ifneedbe,todieforhisking.Itwasforservice,not
honour,thatPaulknewhimselftobechosen.
(iv)Hethankedhimbecausehehadempoweredhim.PaulhadlongsincediscoveredthatJesusChrist
nevergivesamanatasktodowithoutalsogivinghimthepowertodoit.Paulwouldneverhavesaid,
"SeewhatIhavedone,"butalways,"SeewhatJesusChristhasenabledmetodo."Nomanisgood
enough,orstrongenough,orpureenough,orwiseenoughtobetheservantofChrist.Butifhewillgive
himselftoChrist,hewillgo,notinhisownstrength,butinthestrengthofhisLord.
THEMEANSOFCONVERSION(1Timothy1:1217continued)
Therearetwofurtherinterestingthingsinthispassage.
Paul'sJewishbackgroundcomesout.HesaysthatJesusChristhadmercyonhimbecausehe
committedhissinsagainstChristandhisChurchinthedaysofhisignorance.Weoftenthinkthatthe
Jewishviewpointwasthatsacrificeatonedforsinamansinned,hissinbrokehisrelationshipwithGod,
thensacrificewasmadeandGod'sangerwasappeasedandtherelationshiprestored.
Itmaywellhavebeenthatthatwasinfactthepopular,debasedviewofsacrifice.ButthehighestJewish
thoughtinsistedontwothings.First,itinsistedthatsacrificecouldneveratonefordeliberatesin,butonly
forthesinsamancommittedinignoranceorwhensweptawayinamomentofpassion.Second,the
highestJewishthoughtinsistedthatnosacrificecouldatoneforanysinunlesstherewascontritioninthe
heartofthemanwhobroughtit.HerePaulisspeakingoutofhisJewishbackground.Hishearthadbeen
brokenbythemercyofChristhissinshadbeencommittedinthedaysbeforeheknewChristandhis
love.Andforthesereasonshefeltthattherewasmercyforhim.
Thereisastillmoreinterestingmatter,whichispointedoutbyE.F.Brown.1Timothy1:14isdifficult.In
theRevisedStandardVersionitruns:"ThegraceofourLordoverflowedformewiththefaithandlove
thatareinChristJesus."ThefirstpartisnotdifficultitsimplymeansthatthegraceofGodrosehigher
thanPaul'ssin.Butwhatexactlyisthemeaningofthephrase"withthefaithandlovethatareinChrist
Jesus"?E.F.BrownsuggeststhatitisthattheworkofthegraceofChristinPaul'sheartwashelpedby
thefaithandthelovehefoundinthemembersoftheChristianChurch,thingslikethesympathyandthe
understandingandthekindnesshereceivedfrommenlikeAnanias,whoopenedhiseyesandcalledhim
brother(Acts9:1019),andBarnabas,whostoodbyhimwhentherestoftheChurchregardedhimwith
bleaksuspicion(Acts9:2628).Thatisaverylovelyidea.Andifitbecorrect,wecanseethatthereare
threefactorswhichcooperateintheconversionofanyman.
(i)First,thereisGod.ItwastheprayerofJeremiah:"Restoreustothyself,OLord"(Lamentations5:21).
AsAugustinehadit,wewouldneverevenhavebeguntoseekforGodunlesshehadalreadyfoundus.
TheprimemoverisGodatthebackofaman'sfirstdesireforgoodnessthereishisseekinglove.
(ii)Thereisaman'sownself.TheKingJamesVersionrendersMatthew18:3entirelypassively:"Except
yebeconvertedandbecomeaslittlechildren,yeshallnotenterintotheKingdomofHeaven."The
RevisedStandardVersiongivesamuchmoreactiverendering:"Unlessyouturnandbecomelike
children,youwillneverenterthekingdomofheaven."Theremustbehumanresponsetodivineappeal.
Godgavemenfreewillandtheycanuseiteithertoacceptortorefusehisoffer.
(iii)ThereistheagencyofsomeChristianperson.ItisPaul'sconvictionthatheissent"toopentheeyes
oftheGentiles,thattheymayturnfromdarknesstolight,andfromthepowerofSatantoGod,thatthey
mayreceiveforgivenessofsins"(Acts26:18).ItisJames'beliefthatanymanwhoconvertsthesinner
fromtheerrorofhisway"willsaveasoulfromdeathandwillcoveramultitudeofsins"(James5:1920).
Sothenthereisadoubledutylaiduponus.Ithasbeensaidthatasaintissomeonewhomakesiteasier
tobelieveinGod,andthatasaintissomeoneinwhomChristlivesagain.Wemustgivethanksforthose
whoshowedusChrist,whosewordsandexamplebroughtustohimandwemuststrivetobethe
influencewhichbringsotherstohim.
InthismatterofconversiontheinitiativeofGod,theresponseofman,andtheinfluenceoftheChristian
allcombine.
THEUNFORGOTTENSHAMEANDTHEUNDYINGINSPIRATION(1Timothy1:1217continued)
ThethingwhichstandsoutinthispassageisPaul'sinsistenceuponrememberinghisownsin.Heheaps
upaveryclimaxofwordstoshowwhathedidtoChristandtheChurch.Hewasaninsulterofthe
ChurchhehadflunghotandangrywordsattheChristians,accusingthemofcrimesagainstGod.He
wasapersecutorhehadtakeneverymeansopentohimundertheJewishlawtoannihilatetheChristian
Church.Thencomesaterriblewordhehadbeenamanofinsolentandbrutalviolence.Thewordin
Greekishubristes(Greek#5197).Itindicatesakindofarrogantsadismitdescribesthemanwhoisout
toinflictpainforthesheerjoyofinflictingit.Thecorrespondingabstractnounishubris(Greek#5196)
whichAristotledefines:"Hubris(Greek#5196)meanstohurtandtogrievepeople,insuchawaythat
shamecomestothemanwhoishurtandgrieved,andthatnotthatthepersonwhoinflictsthehurtand
injurymaygainanythingelseinadditiontowhathealreadypossesses,butsimplythathemayfind
delightinhisowncrueltyandinthesufferingoftheotherperson."
ThatiswhatPaulwasoncelikeinregardtotheChristianChurch.Notcontentwithwordsofinsult,he
wenttothelimitoflegalpersecution.Notcontentwithlegalpersecution,hewenttothelimitofsadistic
brutalityinhisattempttostampouttheChristianfaith.Herememberedthatandtotheendofthedayhe
regardedhimselfasthechiefofsinners.Itisnotthathewasthechiefofsinnershestillis.True,he
couldneverforgetthathewasaforgivensinnerbutneithercouldheeverforgetthathewasasinner.
Whyshouldherememberhissinwithsuchvividness?
(i)Thememoryofhissinwasthesurestwaytokeephimfrompride.Therecouldbenosuchthingas
spiritualprideforamanwhohaddonethethingsthathehaddone.JohnNewtonwasoneofthegreat
preachersandthesupremehymnwritersoftheChurchbuthehadsunktothelowestdepthstowhicha

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mancansink,inthedayswhenhesailedtheseasinaslavetrader'sship.Sowhenhebecamea
convertedmanandapreacherofthegospel,hewroteatextingreatletters,andfasteneditabovethe
mantlepieceofhisstudywherehecouldnotfailtoseeit:"Thoushaltrememberthatthouwasta
bondmaninthelandofEgyptandtheLordthyGodredeemedthee."Healsocomposedhisownepitaph:
"JohnNewton,Clerk,onceanInfidelandLibertine,aServantofSlavesinAfrica,wasbytheMercyofour
LordandSaviourJesusChrist,Preserved,Restored,Pardoned,andAppointedtoPreachtheFaithhe
hadsolonglabouredtodestroy."JohnNewtonneverforgotthathewasaforgivensinnerneitherdid
Paul.Neithermustwe.Itdoesamangoodtorememberhissinsitsaveshimfromspiritualpride.
(ii)Thememoryofhissinwasthesurestwaytokeephisgratitudeaflame.Torememberwhatwehave
beenforgivenisthesurestwaytokeepawakeourlovetoJesusChrist.F.W.Borehamtellsofaletter
whichtheoldPuritan,ThomasGoodwin,wrotetohisson."WhenIwasthreateningtobecomecoldinmy
ministry,andwhenIfeltSabbathmorningcomingandmyheartnotfilledwithamazementatthegraceof
God,orwhenIwasmakingreadytodispensetheLord'sSupper,doyouknowwhatIusedtodo?Iused
totakeaturnupanddownamongthesinsofmypastlife,andIalwayscamedownagainwithabroken
andacontriteheart,readytopreach,asitwaspreachedinthebeginning,theforgivenessofsins.""Ido
notthink,"hesaid,"IeverwentupthepulpitstairthatIdidnotstopforamomentatthefootofitand
takeaturnupanddownamongthesinsofmypastyears.IdonotthinkthatIeverplannedasermon
thatIdidnottakeaturnroundmystudytableandlookbackatthesinsofmyyouthandofallmylife
downtothepresentandmanyaSabbathmorning,whenmysoulhadbeencoldanddry,forthelackof
prayerduringtheweek,aturnupanddowninmypastlifebeforeIwentintothepulpitalwaysbrokemy
hardheartandmademeclosewiththegospelformyownsoulbeforeIbegantopreach."Whenwe
rememberhowwehavehurtGodandhurtthosewholoveusandhurtourfellowmenandwhenwe
rememberhowGodandmenhaveforgivenus,thatmemorymustawaketheflameofgratitudewithinour
hearts.
(iii)Thememoryofhissinwastheconstanturgetogreatereffort.Itisquitetruethatamancannever
earntheapprovalofGod,ordeservehislovebutitisalsotruethathecanneverstoptryingtodo
somethingtoshowhowmuchheappreciatestheloveandthemercywhichhavemadehimwhatheis.
Wheneverweloveanyonewecannothelptryingalwaystodemonstrateourlove.Whenweremember
howmuchGodlovesusandhowlittlewedeserveit,whenwerememberthatitwasforusthatJesus
ChristhungandsufferedonCalvary,itmustcompelustoeffortthatwilltellGodwerealizewhathehas
doneforusandwillshowJesusChristthathissacrificewasnotinvain..
(iv)Thememoryofhissinwasboundtobeaconstantencouragementtoothers.Paulusesavivid
picture.Hesaysthatwhathappenedtohimwasakindofoutlinesketchofwhatwasgoingtohappento
thosewhowouldacceptChristinthedaystocome.Thewordheusesishupotuposis(Greek#5296)
whichmeansanoutline,asketchplan,afirstdraft,apreliminarymodel.ItisasifPaulweresaying,
"LookwhatChristhasdoneforme!Ifsomeonelikemecanbesaved,thereishopeforeveryone."
Supposeamanwasseriouslyillandhadtogothroughadangerousoperation,itwouldbethegreatest
encouragementtohimifhemetandtalkedwithsomeonewhohadundergonethesameoperationandhad
emergedcompletelycured.Pauldidnotshrinkinglyconcealhisrecordheblazoneditabroad,thatothers
mighttakecourageandbefilledwithhopethatthegracewhichhadchangedhimcouldchangethemtoo.
GreatheartsaidtoChristian'sboys:"YoumustknowthatForgetfulGreenisthemostdangerousplacein
alltheseparts."Paul'ssinwassomethingwhichherefusedtoforget,foreverytimeherememberedthe
greatnessofhissin,herememberedthestillgreatergreatnessofJesusChrist.Itwasnotthathe
broodedunhealthilyoverhissinitwasthatherememberedittorejoiceinthewonderofthegraceof
JesusChrist.
THESUMMONSWHICHCANNOTBEDENIED(1Timothy1:1820)
1:1820Ientrustthischargetoyou,Timothylad,becauseitisthenatural
consequenceofthemessageswhichcametotheprophetsfromGod,andwhich
markedyououtastheverymanforthiswork,sothat,inobediencetothese
messages,youmaywageafinecampaign,maintainingyourfaithandagood
conscienceallthetimeandtherearesomewho,inmattersofthefaith,have
repelledtheguidanceofconscience,andhavecometoshipwreck.Amongstthem
areHymenaeusandAlexander,whomIhavehandedovertoSatan,thattheymay
bedisciplinedoutoftheirinsultstoGodandhisChurch.
Thefirstsectionofthispassageishighlycompressed.Whatliesbehinditisthis.Theremusthavebeen
ameetingoftheprophetsoftheChurch.Theyweremenknowntobewithintheconfidenceandthe
counselsofGod."SurelytheLorddoesnothingwithoutrevealinghissecrettohisservantstheprophets"
(Amos3:7).ThismeetingthoughtaboutthesituationwhichwasthreateningtheChurchandcametothe
conclusionthatTimothywasthemantodealwithit.Wecanseetheprophetsactinginexactlythesame
wayinActs13:13.TheChurchwasfacedwiththegreatdecisionwhetherornottotakethegospeloutto
theGentilesanditwastotheprophetsthattherecamethemessageoftheHolySpirit,saying:"Set
apartformeBarnabasandSaulfortheworktowhichIhavecalledthem"(Acts13:2).Thatwaswhathad
happenedtoTimothy.Hehadbeenmarkedoutbytheprophetsasthemantodealwiththesituationin
theChurch.Itmaywellhavebeenthatheshrankfromthegreatnessofthetaskwhichfacedhim,and
herePaulencourageshimwithcertainconsiderations.
(i)Paulsaystohim:"Youareamanwhohasbeenchosenandyoucannotrefuseyourtask."Something
likethathappenedtoJohnKnox.HehadbeenteachinginSt.Andrews.Histeachingwassupposedtobe
privatebutmanycametoit,forhewasobviouslyamanwithamessage.Sothepeopleurgedhim"that
hewouldtakethepreachingplaceuponhim.Butheutterlyrefused,allegingthathewouldnotrunwhere
Godhadnotcalledhim....WhereupontheyPrivilyamongthemselvesadvising,havingwiththemin
councilSirDavidLindsayoftheMount,theyconcludedthattheywouldgiveachargetothesaidJohn,
andthatpubliclybythemouthoftheirpreacher."
SoSundaycameandKnoxwasinChurchandJohnRoughwaspreaching."ThesaidJohnRough,
preacher,directedhiswordstothesaidJohnKnox,saying:'Brother,yeshallnotbeoffended,albeitthatI
speakuntoyouthatwhichIhaveincharge,evenfromallthosethatareherepresent,whichisthis:Inthe
nameofGod,andofhisSonJesusChrist,andinthenameofthesethatpresentlycallyoubymymouth,
Ichargeyouthatyourefusenotthisholyvocation,but...thatyoutakeuponyouthepublicofficeand
chargeofpreaching,evenasyoulooktoavoidGod'sheavydispleasure,anddesirethatheshallmultiply
hisgraceswithyou.'Andintheendhesaidtothosethatwerepresent:'Wasnotthisyourchargetome?

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Anddoyenotapprovethisvocation?'Theyanswered:'Itwas:andweapproveit.'WhereatthesaidJohn,
abashed,burstforthinmostabundanttears,andwithdrewhimselftohischamber.Hiscountenanceand
behaviour,fromthatdaytillthedaythathewascompelledtopresenthimselftothepublicplaceof
preaching,didsufficientlydeclarethegriefandtroubleofhisheartfornomansawanysignofmirthin
him,neitheryethadhepleasuretoaccompanyanyman,manydaystogether."
JohnKnoxwaschosenhedidnotwanttoanswerthecallbuthehadto,forthechoicehadbeenmade
byGod.YearsafterwardstheRegentMortonutteredhisfamousepitaphbyKnox'sgraveside:"Inrespect
thatheboreGod'smessage,towhomhemustmakeaccountforthesame,he(albeithewasweakand
anunworthycreature,andafearfulman)fearednotthefacesofmen."Theconsciousnessofbeing
chosengavehimcourage.
SoPaulsaystoTimothy:"YouhavebeenchosenyoucannotletdownGodandman."Toeveryoneof
ustherecomesGod'schoosingandwhenwearesummonedtosomeworkforhim,wedarenotrefuseit.
(ii)ItmaybethatPaulwassayingtoTimothy:"Betruetoyourname."TimothyitsfullformisTimotheos
(Greek#5095)iscomposedoftwoGreekwords,time(Greek#5092)whichmeans"honour,"andtheos
(Greek#2316)whichmeans"God,"andsomeans"honourtoGod."Ifwearecalledbythename
Christian,oneofChrist'sfolk,tothatnamewemustbetrue.
(iii)Finally,PaulsaystoTimothy:"Ientrustthischargetoyou".Thewordwhichheusesfortoentrustis
paratithesthai(Greek#3908),whichisthewordusedofentrustingsomethingvaluabletosomeone'ssafe
keeping.Itisused,forinstance,ofmakingadepositinabank,orofentrustingsomeonetoanother's
care.Italwaysimpliesthatatrusthasbeenreposedinsomeoneforwhichhewillbecalledtoaccount.
SoPaulsays:"Timothy,intoyourhandsIamplacingasacredtrust.Seethatyoudonotfail."God
reposeshistrustinusintoourhandsheputshishonourandhisChurch.Wetoomustseetoitthatwe
donotfail.
DESPATCHEDONGOD'SCAMPAIGN(1Timothy1:1820continued)
WhatthenisentrustedtoTimothy?Heisdespatchedtofightagoodcampaign.Thepictureoflifeasa
campaignisonewhichhasalwaysfascinatedmen'sthoughts.MaximusofTyresaid:"Godisthe
generallifeisthecampaignmanisthesoldier."Senecasaid:"Formetolive,mydearLucilius,istobe
asoldier."WhenamanbecameafollowerofthegoddessIsisandwasinitiatedintotheMysteries
connectedwiththegoddess'name,thesummonstohimwas:"Enrolyourselfinthesacredsoldieryof
Isis."
Therearethreethingstobenoted.
(i)Itisnottoabattlethatwearesummoneditistoacampaign.Lifeisonelongcampaign,aservice
fromwhichthereisnorelease,notashort,sharpstruggleafterwhichamancanlayasidehisarmsand
restinpeace.Tochangethemetaphor,lifeisnotasprintitisamarathonrace.Itistherethatthedanger
entersin.Itisnecessarytobeforeveronthewatch."Eternalvigilanceisthepriceofliberty."The
temptationsoflifeneverceasetheirsearchforachinkinthearmouroftheChristian.Itisoneofthe
commonestdangersinlifetoproceedinaseriesofspasms.Wemustrememberthatwearesummoned
toacampaignwhichgoesonaslongaslifedoes.
(ii)ItistoafinecampaignthatTimothyissummoned.Hereagainwehavethewordkalos(Greek#2570)
ofwhichthePastoralsaresofond.Itdoesnotmeanonlysomethingwhichisgoodandstrongitmeans
somethingwhichisalsowinsomeandlovely.ThesoldierofChristisnotaconscriptwhoservesgrimly
andgrudginglyheisavolunteerwhoserveswithacertainknightlychivalry.Heisnottheslaveofduty,
buttheservantofjoy.
(iii)Timothyiscommandedtotakewithhimtwoweaponsofequipment.(a)Heistotakefaith.Evenwhen
thingsareattheirdarkest,hemusthavefaithintheessentialrightnessofhiscauseandintheultimate
triumphofGod.ItwasfaithwhichkeptupJohnKnoxwhenhewasindespair.Oncewhenhewasaslave
onthegalleys,theshipcameinsightofSt.Andrews.Hewassoweakthathehadtobeliftedupbodily
inordertosee.Theyshowedhimthechurchsteepleandaskedifheknewit."Yes,"hesaid,"Iknowit
well:andIamfullypersuaded,howweakthateverInowappear,thatIshallnotdepartthislifetillthatmy
tongueshallglorifyhisgodlynameinthesameplace."Hedescribeshisfeelingsin1554whenhehadto
fleethecountrytoescapethevengeanceofMaryTudor."Notonlytheungodly,butevenmyfaithful
brethren,yea,andmyownself,thatis,allnaturalunderstanding,judgedmycausetobeirremediable.
Thefrailflesh,oppressedwithfearandpain,desirethdeliverance,everabhorringanddrawingbackfrom
obediencegiving.OChristianbrethren,Iwritebyexperience....Iknowthegrudgingandmurmuring
complaintsofthefleshIknowtheanger,wrath,andindignationwhichitconceivethagainstGod,calling
allhispromisesindoubt,andbeingreadyeveryhourutterlytofallfromGod.Againstwhichremainsonly
faith."TheChristiansoldierneedsinthedarkesthourthefaiththatwillnotshrink.(b)Heistotakethe
defenceofagoodconscience.Thatistosay,theChristiansoldiermustatleasttrytoliveinaccordance
withhisowndoctrine.Thevirtueisgoneoutofaman'smessagewhenhisconsciencecondemnshimas
hespeaks.
ASTERNREBUKE(1Timothy1:1820continued)
ThepassagecloseswithasternrebuketotwomembersoftheChurchwhohaveinjuredtheChurch,
grievedPaul,andmadeshipwreckoftheirownlives.Hymenaeusismentionedagainin2Timothy2:17
andAlexandermaywellbetheAlexanderwhoisreferredtoin2Timothy4:14.Paulhasthreecomplaints
againstthem.
(i)Theyhadrejectedtheguidanceofconscience.Theyhadallowedtheirowndesirestospeakwithmore
persuasivenessthanthevoiceofGod.
(ii)Theyhadrelapsedintoevilpractices.OncetheyhadabandonedGod,lifehadbecomesoiledand
debased.WhenGodwentfromlife,beautywentalongwithhim.
(iii)Theyhadtakentofalseteaching.Againitwasalmostinevitable.Whenamantakesthewrongway,
hisfirstinstinctistofindexcusesforhimself.HetakestheChristianteachingandtwistsittosuit
himself.Outoftherighthefindspervertedargumentstojustifythewrong.Hefindsargumentsinthe
wordsofChristtojustifythewaysofthedevil.Themomentamandisobeysthevoiceofconscience,his
conductbecomesdebasedandhisthinkingtwisted.

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SoPaulgoesontosaythathehas"handedthemovertoSatan."Whatisthemeaningofthisterrible
phrase?Therearethreepossibilities.
(i)HemaybethinkingoftheJewishpracticeofexcommunication.Accordingtosynagoguepractice,ifa
manwasanevildoerhewasfirstpubliclyrebuked.Ifthatwasineffective,hewasbanishedfromthe
synagogueforaperiodofthirtydays.Ifhewasstillstubbornlyunrepentant,hewasputundertheban,
whichmadehimapersonaccursed,debarredfromthesocietyofmenandthefellowshipofGod.Insuch
acaseamanmightwellbesaidtobehandedovertoSatan.
(ii)HemaybesayingthathehasbarredthemfromtheChurchandturnedthemlooseintheworld.Ina
heathensocietyitwasinevitablethatmenshoulddrawahardandfastlinebetweentheChurchandthe
world.TheChurchwasGod'sterritorytheworldwasSatan'sandtobedebarredfromtheChurchwasto
behandedovertothatterritorywhichwasundertheswayofSatan.Thephrasemaymeanthatthesetwo
troublersoftheChurchwereabandonedtotheworld.
(iii)Thethirdexplanationisthemostlikelyofthethree.Satanwasheldtoberesponsibleforhuman
sufferingandpain.AmanintheCorinthianChurchhadbeenguiltyoftheterriblesinofincest.Paul's
advicewasthatheshouldbedeliveredtoSatan"forthedestructionoftheflesh,thatthespiritmaybe
savedinthedayoftheLordJesus"(1Corinthians5:5).TheideaisthattheChurchshouldprayforsome
physicalchastisementtofallonthatmansothat,bythepainofhisbody,hemightbebroughttothe
sensesofhismind.InJob'scaseitwasSatanwhobroughtthephysicalsufferinguponhim(Job2:67).
IntheNewTestamentitselfwehavetheterribleendofAnaniasandSapphira(Acts5:5Acts5:10),and
theblindnesswhichfelluponElymasbecauseofhisoppositiontothegospel(Acts13:11).Itmaywellbe
thatitwasPaul'sprayerthatthesetwomenshouldbesubjectedtosomepainfulvisitationwhichwould
beapunishmentandawarning.
ThatisallthemorelikelybecauseitisPaul'shopethattheywillbe,notobliteratedanddestroyed,but
disciplinedoutoftheirevilways.Tohim,asitoughttobetous,punishmentwasnevermerevindictive
vengeancebutalwaysremedialdiscipline,nevermeantsimplytohurtbutalwaystocure.
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