Chapter 1, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Savior, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our hope; writing unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, while I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions...” That is, they caused questions. They caused more questions than they answer.

           
“…Rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now, the end of the commandment is charity,” which is love in modern English from the King James, “is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:” or real, genuine faith “From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

           
But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law,” that is, the law of God, “is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers and whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind,” which is homosexuality and homosexuals.

           
The law is made “for menstealers” or kidnappers, “for liars, and perjurers, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.”

           
You see people who keep the commandments naturally, because God's spirit is in them and leading them to behave in a certain manner and to avoid certain wicked things, they keep the law by their nature because they have a new nature imparted to them through the indwelling of God's spirit.

           
The law condemns wickedness. The law does not condemn the righteous. The law is there to keep people from wicked or evil behavior. It is there to keep people from sinning. If you by nature do not sin, the law is not there to control you. The law is there to control those people who by their carnal nature are full of sin and rebellion. They rebel against God and they do not have God's spirit. Therefore, they are unable to live in a righteous manner. They are unable to avoid rebelling against God. They are unable to keep God's commandments. And the law is there to keep such people and  their behavior under control.

           
The law is not there to control the righteous. If you love the ways of God, there is no necessity to try and enforce God's ways upon you, because you will do them out of your natural love for those ways. The law is there to control those people who do not love God's ways and who choose not to live God's way. The law is there to convict them of their sin and to turn them toward God and turn them toward God's commandments because they do not know God's commandments and they are unable to keep God's commandments by their very nature. Therefore the law is for them as a kind of schoolmaster to lead them into righteous conduct and to teach them that conduct which leads to life.

           
Those who have God's spirit already live the conduct which leads to life because they are led to do so by God's spirit and they have a love for such conduct.

           
Now, those who have just received God's spirit are not instantaneously perfect but they have the desire and the will to become perfect, to please God. They love God and they love the things of God and they choose to do with all their might the things of God. And yes they might make mistakes, like a little child who loves his parents and is trying to please his parents, they might err due to  over eagerness and ignorance and make some mistakes. But they will quickly repent and turn back to God when they realize that they have made a mistake and done wrong, Whereas the rebellious and stubborn child will not do so. That child will say, "Well, I'm going to do what I want to do." And in that case, there is a need for law and there is a need for discipline to turn that child back into the ways which lead to life.

           
Timothy 1:12, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry: Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious.” That is, Paul persecuted the saints. He persecuted this way and he blasphemed Christ. “But I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly and in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”

           
Christ came not to save the righteous as Christ himself said, "The healthy don't need a physician. It's the sick who need a physician." And Christ came to save sinners. It is true that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. And Paul is telling his audience here that he considers himself to be a most terrible sinner, having directly persecuted the saints and persecuted Christ and the followers of Christ. And if he could be forgiven, if Christ would call him and forgive him, then the others should be comforted by that fact and should realize that they also might be forgiven.

           
Paul says that God forgave him as an example that others can be forgiven, “…for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Now, unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

           
“This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare.”

           
So, it appears that certain prophecies were made about Timothy and his future and that Timothy is to be encouraged by them that he might fight a good fight or war a good warfare.

           
“Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck.” That is, their conscience is shipwrecked because they are no longer holding fast to their faith or to the faith of God and Christ.

           
Verse 20, “Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.”

           
They needed to learn not to blaspheme. Therefore, Paul put them out of the congregation and gave them over to the enemy that he might buffet them until they should repent.  Disfellowshipment is never about punishing people. It is a teaching tool, to bring them once again to repentance.

           
Chapter 2, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers and intercessions, and the giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

           
So, what is he saying? He says, "Pray that the king and the authorities and the government will be well-disposed toward us that we may have peace, that we may have a peaceable life in godliness and honesty."

           
“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior: Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

           
Moses is no longer our mediator, neither is the Pope or Herbert Armstrong or me or anybody else. Our mediator, the One who stands between us and God is our High Priest, the Lamb of God, who gave Himself for us, who died for us and being resurrected was able to enter into the holy place and stand before the Father and offer Himself as a sacrifice, pure and unblemished to the Father for us. As a High Priest offers sacrifices on behalf of the people and mediates between the people and God: Jesus Christ offered that perfect sacrifice and then presented that sacrifice to God on our behalf, thereby becoming our High Priest. Take a look at our Hebrews material.

           
There is one mediator between God and man and that is Jesus Christ. And we are to follow Jesus Christ wherever He goes and do whatever He says. And we are to test the words of all men against the Holy Scriptures, against the Word of God, and the Word of Christ. And God comes first and with Him, comes Christ and men come a far, far distant: distance away. We are to test the words of all men by the Word of God.

           
In verse 6, “Who, Jesus Christ, gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle.” So, Paul here claims to be an apostle.

           
“I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not; and I am a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity or truth. I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up godly hands, without anger or wrath and without doubting.

           
“In like manner also that women adorn themselves modestly with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But which becometh women professing godliness. They should be adorned with good works.”

           
Does that mean that you can't have nice clothes or dress nicely or put on some jewelry? No, it doesn't. It means that the important thing is good works. And it's very easy to get lost in vanity, to get all taken up with the pretty dress or the nice jewelry and to forget about the important things.

           
We need to get everything in its proper place and keep things in perspective. The important thing is true godliness. It is good works. It is keeping the commandments of God.

           
There's an old saying that beauty is skin deep. Meaning, that what is superficial and outward often can conceal great wickedness within. It is the within part that is the important part.

           
“Let the woman learn in silence and with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, or to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”

           
And this is not meaning that a woman can't teach her children or teach other women or even respond by giving sound advice to men. It means that she should be subject to her husband and she should not upbraid her husband or try and teach him in front of other people. She should show proper respect for her husband as her head.

           
Of course he will ask her advice and if he doesn't know something that she does know, he will listen to her. And he will discuss his hopes and dreams and plans with her, and he will discuss those things that are important to him with her, and he will even discuss the Scriptures with her, and they will help each other learn from each other, and yes teach each other.

           
And the wife can teach the husband a great deal in many cases. And the husband can learn a great deal from the wife. What this means is that it should be done in a properly respectful manner since she swore an oath before God that you would love, esteem, and obey her husband. And therefore, any teaching that she does should be in love and with respect. And she should not stand up in front of the church and teach them; the whole congregation, because in doing so; she is showing disrespect for her husband who as the person in authority and she promised to accept that authority. He should be the one up there doing the teaching.

           
But aside from that and in private, she should be able to provide information to him and he should be willing to listen to her. And women should certainly teach their children and they should certainly encourage one another.

           
“Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”

           
This is in reference first, to a woman exercising authority over the church. This is absolutely forbidden. But it also has to do with simple respect. She is to learn in silence with subjection. It doesn't mean she's to close her mouth and be a closed-up clam. It means that she should not be argumentive. She should not be engaged in loud disputes. Rather, she should listen respectfully and give her responses respectfully.

           
This kind of silence is a reference to behaving in a orderly, calm, loving manner. She should show love for her husband and he love for her.

           
For verse 13, “For Adam was first formed and then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.”

           
That is, the woman was more easily deceived than the man and then she went and convinced her husband. Therefore, it is better that a woman listen to her husband than a man listen to his wife.

           
Does this mean that somehow men are better than women? No. It probably means, in my own opinion that women are more natural leaders than men. Most men are content to let their wife do whatever they want, "Oh, yeah as long as it's not a big issue for me and as long as it makes for peace and quiet in my home, I don't care what she does."

           
And it's the women who have the leadership skills. And they need those skills because of their children, because of teaching and leading their children. And it is probably, in my opinion now, that men need to learn some leadership skills and men need to take some responsibility as a leader in their family.

           
This whole issue here, is not about men being better than women. It's about God saying to women, "Hey you're a good leader. Hold back and give this guy a chance to learn some leadership skills."

           
Verse 15, “Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in the faith with charity,  and holiness and sobriety.”

           
He's saying here, if they keep the commandments and continue in the faith and are filled with God's love and they bear children, that is a good thing for a wife in the home.

           
Chapter 3 and now we're getting into the qualifications for the ministry. And this refers to every office of the ministry. I don't care whether you call yourself an evangelist, an apostle, a priest, a prophet, an elder, whatever you call yourself. These criteria should apply to you and should be applied to you by others.

           
“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desires a good work.” In other words, he desires to do a good work, to be a shepherd for God's sheep to do good. Now, a bishop then must be blameless. He must be of a good reputation. People outside the faith should look at him and say, "Well, I don't agree with his religion but he is a faithful, honest, hardworking, God-fearing man. And I can find any fault with him except that I don't agree with his religion."

           
“A bishop must be blameless. He must be the husband of one wife.” That can mean that he should have only one wife and it should also mean that he should definitely have the experience of having been married to a wife.

           
How can a young man, who has never been married ever understand the problems that married couples have, or that raising children involves? There's no way he could, without the experience. It is necessary that a man be experienced and have experience in the matter of marriage.

           
“He must be the husband of one wife. He must be vigilant and sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, and have the ability to teach.” He must be a good teacher and even more importantly perhaps, he must be a good example. And he must be vigilant to teach what is true, correct, and accurate according to the Word of God. And to be on the alert for errors and falsehoods that tend to creep in to the church and tend to creep in as false doctrines, and find their way in from certain tears sowed by the enemy.

“He should not be given to wine and no striker or fighter, not guilty of  filthy lucre or desirous of a lot of money, and the things that money can buy.” A minister should not be covetous of the best house, the best car, the best clothes, the best food, the best of everything. Rather, he should be an ordinary person who is humble and not greedy and selfish.

           
He should be patient, “not a brawler or fighter and not covetous; One that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity.”

           
Meaning -- that he must have had children. And he must have had the experience of raising those children. And even if those children turn out to be inclined to go outside the faith, they should still have been raised to certain standards and they should still be found to be good citizens. Just like the children of other people who raised their children properly outside the faith, but children can still grow up to be good citizens.

           
And part of training your children to be good citizens, again is to set the right example. To not be abusive, not be a bully, not be quick to discipline; but rather full of love, quick to hear, patient to listen and patient with guidance and instruction; using discipline only as an absolutely last resort.

           
Verse 5, “For if a man does know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?” A bishop or a minister should “not be a novice,” that is, a newly converted person, “lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.”

           
Someone newly converted, who is promoted too fast and stands up before the congregation as a very young man perhaps. or someone very new in the faith will tend to begin to think, "Oh, I'm somebody special here. I've been in the faith for six months or a year or two and all these other people  have been here for 30 or 40 years and I'm teaching them. I'm somebody special." And they are lifted up with pride.

           
No. A minister should never be ordained until he has had a wife. He has had children who have grown to adulthood and he has been in the faith for 10, 15, 20 years and he has had the experience of having earned a living, the old fashioned way, and he knows what other people are going through and he knows what the real world is like.

           
Verse 7, “Moreover he must have a good report of those who are without;” that is, without, outside the faith, “lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”

           
That simply means that if you're a drunkard or if you're a liar or a plagiarist or any kind of evil thing, then those people outside the faith are going to look at him and say, "Ah, look at that man. What kind of a religion does he represent, when he is so evil?" And you bring an ill report upon the faith and upon that congregation.

           
The ministers and elders, deacons, evangelists, apostles, whatever you call yourself, you must be a good example and of a good report by all peoples.

           
Likewise must the deacons. Now, deacons, that includes everybody, if the deacons have to “be grave and not double tongued, that is, speaking opposites and being hypocritical, not given too much wine, and not greedy.” If they have to be that way, then so does everybody else.

           
“Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And that these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.”

           
Now, they are to be proved first. That is, they are to be watched over a period of time to see what their conduct is; on a consistent basis. And the same is true of anybody put in the office of an elder or evangelist, apostle, prophet or anything else. They need to exhibit a consistently  godly behavior, consistent conduct of keeping God's commandments and being above reproach as far as humanly possible. In fact, as far as possible with God's spirit dwelling in you.

           
“Even so must their wives be grave and not slanderers, sober and faithful in all things.”

           
A man who has a bad wife, even if he's perfect can be disqualified from his office by the conduct of his wife. That is the words of the apostle Paul to Timothy because why? Because the man is the leader of his wife and he must be guiding and teaching his wife and helping her. And  if she is rebellious against him, she by being rebellious against him is also rebellious against God's commandments to submit to her husband; and she is rebellious against her own vow made before God.

           
And such women, if they learn over time to love their husbands, and to be peaceable, and not slanderers, and to be sober and faithful in all things, in all God's commandments, that is wonderful. But if they're continually rebellious and setting a bad example for others, that can disqualify their husbands from the office in the ministry.

Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, that is, let them have a wife, let them have children ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

           
Yes, a deacon may be bold in the faith like Stephen and like certain of the other deacons who are recorded in the book of Acts as being famous amongst God's people and being considered to be deacons.

           
Being a deacon is not just serving at tables or caring for the widows in physical things. It is also caring for them in their spiritual needs. A deacon is not just limited to physical things. He is also to be there to care in spiritual things and to be a counselor, an adviser, and a helper in spiritual things as well.

           
And I point to Stephen and there are others we can learn a great deal from. It is the custom in some groups today, that the deacons are some kind of a slave who have to drive a truck or help move people or do this or that in the physical realm and they're to shut up and sort of sit there when it comes to spiritual things. No, no, no. That's wrong. They are to assist in spiritual things as well as the physical.

           
Verse 14, “These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto you shortly,” that is, Paul is hoping to visit Timothy soon. “But if I delay long, that thou mayest know how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

           
“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh,” that is, God became the physical person we called Jesus Christ. He was “justified in the Spirit,” that is, He was resurrected to spirit and “seen of angels, He was preached unto the  Gentiles, as Paul was an apostle to the Gentiles. He was “believed on in the world” and He was “received up into glory” with the Father where He sits at the right hand of the Father, waiting until the appointed time, until all of His enemies are made His footstool.

           
Timothy chapter 4, “Now, the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”

           
And this was already occurring during the days of Paul and Timothy. And it is to occur on a greater scale in the last days which is the time we are living in now, giving heed to seducing spirits. That is, being deceived and misled into false doctrines. For example, instead of standing on the Word of God and getting their religion out of the Word of God, certain people go and they come up with some idea and they get support from it or for it from Nostradamus or I Ching or the Maya or something like that. These are seducing spirits in the sense that these teachings by these organizations or people or cultures were from these evil spirits originally.

           
And to go to them, turning our back on God's Word or taking a simple statement or line out of God’s Word, taking it out of context and then adding it to these false teachings; produces more false teaching, more false doctrine. And it is giving heed to seducing spirits, to false spirits. And it is mixing the Word of God with the doctrine of demons.

           
And Paul writes to Timothy, this is going to happen in the latter days and they speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron. That is, they have no problem with mixing God's Word with all the teachings of all of these different groups who live contrary to God and who despise God's commandments and will not do the things of God. And some people just swallow up some of these things and they turn their back on God's Word to follow after all of this wickedness. And they sear their conscience by doing these things.

           
Some of them forbiding to marry, as in Catholicism where the priests are not allowed to marry at the present time. This was not always the case among them. And some commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

           
Notice, it is talking about abstaining from the meat that God created to be received. That is, it is talking about being commanded by men to abstain from those meats which God said we could have and should receive with thanksgiving. This is talking about being a vegetarian. It is talking about people saying, "Well, you cannot have this" when God said you could have it. This is not talking about clean and unclean meats.

           
God said you cannot have the flesh of certain animals to consume. Now, God said it. That is not a commandment of man. That is a commandment of God. God said, you can have this but not that. But some people come along and say, you can have either. And that's wrong. You can have what God said you could have and you can't have what God said you can't have. That is called standing on the Word of God.

           
To be righteous in a godly fashion, we do what God says. If God says: you can have this, but not that; then you can have this, but not that. And if some man comes along and says, "Well, you can't have any of it. You must be a vegetarian," that's not from God. That's this guy's own opinion. And that is wrong to command that others submit to this person's own personal opinion.

           
That's wrong. We submit to God's Word, not to some man's opinion. Now, if a man says, "I think it's wrong," that is between him and God and his own conscience. But he doesn't have the right to command that others agree with his point of view, when it is different than the Scriptures.

           
“For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving,” that is, taken together with the previous verse, commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them that believe and know the truth. For every creature of God, that is, every creature that God said was good,  is good and not to be refused. For it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer. That is, those creatures that we consume must be sanctified by the Word of God. And we can find this in the book of Leviticus and in some other places, that God sanctified certain things to be received with thanksgiving.

           
Read it again in verse 5 for such creature, “For it is sanctified by the word of God…” The things we eat; must be sanctified by the Word of God. And only those things that are sanctified by the Word of God should be eaten. And in all honesty, pigs and snakes and eels and rabbits and elephants are not sanctified by the Word of God to be consumed by His people.

           
We are to eat only those things that God has sanctified  by the Word of God and prayer. That is, we should give thanks for what we receive. Some people call it, saying grace and I must admit I don't make a habit of this at every meal. But one of the great sins in our world today is a lack of gratitude. And especially gratitude toward God for the things we do have; even when we are in poverty or suffering. There are still a great many things to be thankful for.

           
And perhaps, the most important is that God has had mercy upon us and delivered us from our sin through the sacrifice of his very own son. So, we should receive those things that are sanctified by the Word of God and we should be grateful and express gratitude with prayer.

           
Verse 6, “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, you shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. But refuse profane and old wives' tales, fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.”

           
That is, you Timothy, being in the ministry, don't waste your time with a lot of nonsense and all the wives' tales but stand on the Word of God and on sound doctrine. Refuse profane and old wives' tales or fables, and exercise yourself rather unto godliness. And you do that by studying the Word of God, not studying a lot of nonsense.

           
“Bodily exercise profits a little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” Meaning, that physical exercise helps the body for a short time because all flesh will pass away. But true godliness and the things of God will last forever.

           
“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those that believe.”

           
Meaning, of course that God saves those who believe now and He will save the others at a later date in God's own good time according to His plans.

           
“These things command and teach. Let no man despise your youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation or conduct, in charity” which is King James for love, “in spiritual things, in faith, and in purity.”

           
Set an example for the congregation, for those outside the congregation in faith, in your conduct, in your love and faith, in spirituality and in your purity of behavior. That is the duty of all in the ministry to reach for, and seek out and do their utmost to attain the highest standard set by Jesus Christ.

           
Do these things till I come, verse 13. “Give attendance to reading,” that is, to studying the Scriptures, “to exhortation and to doctrine. And neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.” And the word ‘presbytery,’ means the congregation.

           
Timothy was ordained and was given his gifts not by the laying on of hands, of any one person or of Paul, or of one particular person, the congregation laid hands on him.

           
“Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly unto them; that thy profiting may appear to all.” That is, that your development and as you progress in your learning may be an example for everyone.

           
“Take heed to yourself, and unto doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this you shall both save thyself, and those that hear thee.”

           
A minister regardless of his level of office is to give heed to sound doctrine and is to teach sound doctrine and the truth. And in so doing, he will save himself and those who hear him and become doers of the law and are not just hearers but doers. They shall also be saved.

           
Chapter 5, “Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the young men as brethren.” This is not talking here about an elder in the sense of being a minister. This is talking simply about an older person because in the context, it is also referring to younger men. You are not to rebuke an older person in the church. Rather, you are to entreat him and reason with him as if he were your father.

           
“The elder women, you are to treat as your mother; and the younger as sisters, with purity. Honor widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.”

           
That is, if they are young widows, who have family, they have parents, brothers, sisters, nephews, let them stay at home with their families and help take care of their parents and help take care of their families; for that is a good thing.

           
“Now, she that is a widow indeed,” that is, a woman who has absolutely nobody “and is desolate, trusts only in God, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.” That is, because she sets her mind and her eyes on the things of this world and the pleasures of this world and not on the things of God.

           
So, if a widow is wanton and is living a luxurious and pleasurable life, living in the pleasures of this world, then that's a wrong thing. The widows, who have families, let them help take care of their families. And those that have no families; let them spend their time in supplications and prayers and study that they might serve God.

           
Verse 7, “And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.” That is, Paul charged these people with these behavior patterns. But if any provide; not for his own, and especially for those of his own home or his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

           
Why? Because we love our families. We provide for them and take care of them. Every infidel, every unbeliever loves his family, loves his children, his family. Perhaps there are some perverts who don't but in the majority, people love their own families and take care of them and provide for them. And if a person in the faith does not take care of and provide for his household, his family; he is worse than most of the infidels.

           
Does that sound familiar? How many of you live in abject poverty? Deny your children a decent pair of shoes or some clothes or deny your wife those things that are really important and perhaps necessary: in order to give larger offerings to the church.

           
This is wrong. It is sin because we are to fulfill our responsibilities toward God as well as to give money to the church. And part of our responsibility to God is to take care of the families that God has given us. I don't say, "Do not give to the church." I do say, "Don't do one and neglect the other." I say, "There is a balance." And if you go to the church with a huge offering and your children have no shoes or no decent shoes to wear to school, you are wrong.

           
You are depriving your family. You are abusing the family and the blessing that God gave you, the blessing of children. God gave you that blessing and you're abusing God's blessing and you are wrong. If you don't take care of your family, you are worse than most of the unconverted people.

           
Verse 9, “Let not a widow be taken into the number under 60 years old, having been the wife of one man.”

           
If a woman has been the wife of several men because she's been divorced or remarried, it just shows that she can't make a go of marriage or she's a bad chooser of men or she's a bad wife, it shows that there is a real problem there.

           
If a woman is a genuine widow and she's at least 60 years old and having been the wife of one man and is well reported of, having a good reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work, then take her into your number and help take care of her and provide for her and take care of her needs.

           
And she is to lodge strangers, care for others. She is to work for the support she gets by returning her love and caring for the saints, caring for the brethren, serving in whatever capacity she's capable of, either caring physically or at least caring in prayer and study. And part of their prayer and study is to be able to give advice to others.

           
“But the younger widows refuse.” You don't support younger widows. For when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will then marry: Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.”

           
It's saying here, that younger widows are tempted by the lust of the flesh and will marry outside the faith. And they will then have damnation because they have cast off their first faith. They cast off the faith.

           
“And withal they learn idleness and wandering about from house to house; and being idle, tattlers, busybodies and speaking things that they ought not. I would therefore that the younger women and especially the young widows marry within the faith, that they bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.”

           
Paul is saying that young women in the faith should marry, should bear children, should guide the house. And the older women should help out with the church and to help the faithful, help out the saints to the best of their ability in return for the support that they're given.

           
“Some are already turned aside after Satan.” That is, they are filled with the desires and lust of the flesh. And they turn after men or husbands who would marry them, who are outside the faith.

           
Verse 16, “If any man or woman that believes has widows…” That is, if you are in your 20s or 30s ect and your mother is a widow then YOU should be caring for her! “relieve their widows and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.” So the church will have enough to relieve those who have nothing.

           
So, we who are capable should take care of the widows in our family, our household: so the church is not burdened and the church will then have the means to help out those widows who are truly alone in this world.

           
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.

           
That is, those who labor in the doctrines of the Scriptures should get their reward; at the very least, the respect and honor of the people. That doesn't mean that they're put up between the people and God. It means that the people give them some respect. Not that they give them worship.

           
For in the scripture says, “You shalt not muzzle the ox that treads out the corn or the grain. And, the laborer is worthy of his reward.”

           
That does not mean that the ox should eat more than he treads or that the laborer should take more than he earns. It does not mean, that this laborer in the gospel should be guilty of lusting after filthy lucre and should enrich himself. It does mean, that he should be rewarded according to his labors and he should be able to receive some support so that he can devote himself full time to the Scriptures, not that he should become a very rich man off the backs of the sheep.

           
“Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.”

           
And we go right back to the law which God gave Moses. All things must be established by two or three witnesses. You are not to receive a complaint against anyone, unless it is backed up by two or three witnesses. All things must be decided by a minimum of two or three witnesses. You shall not judge people based on the word of one person or on the basis of rumor. You must have absolute proof for a judgment, proof backed up by at least two or three witnesses.

Verse 20, “Those that sin rebuke before all, that others may fear.” There are to be no secret kangaroo courts. There will be no secret disfellowshipments.

           
If someone is wrong, you as an elder warn them. And if necessary warn them again and as long as they're repentant and working with the problem, all is well. If they are rebellious and they say, "Well, I have the right to do this” and  a dispute arises, then the matter is to be made public in the congregation. The people are to be told, this person is doing such and such and the congregation should reject that person until he repents.

           
This is not a matter of punishment. It's a matter of teaching, a teaching tool. It is a matter of protecting the congregation as a whole. They must know what the issue is, for the good of the person involved, that he be not wrongfully accused; and for the good of the minister involved; that he not get too power mad over his supposed authority.

           
“Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one above another, doing nothing by partiality.”

           
You shall not be unfair or unbalanced in your judgments. You shall treat all men equally. All men held up to the same standard. All men judged by the same standard.

           
There is no such thing in God's Word as two separate standards, as a standard for the members and a standard for the ministry or a standard for one group of people and a standard for the leader. All must bow to the same standard and all will be judged by God by the same standard.

           
Anyone who says, "I'm a minister, so I can do this or I can do that. I can do whatever I want."  Nonsense: You're full of it buddy. You don't deserve to be in the ministry with that attitude. You are to set an example for your flock. And you are to adhere to the highest standard: The standard of God’s word.. And you my friend are to adhere to, at the very least, the same standard as you expect other people to adhere to. You shall be judged by the judgments that you render to others.

           
“Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be a partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.”

           
And that verse goes straight to the issue of going out and buying in restaurants on the Sabbath. Neither be partaker of other men's sins. You are NOT to participate in other people’s sin. You don't say, "They're going to do it anyway, I'll participate." Nonsense: You are to adhere to a higher standard. You are to set an example and you are not to partake of other men's sins.

           
Speaking now to Timothy, “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.”

           
Timothy apparently had some health problems. And in this particular case, a little wine would have been helpful. In many cases, in many health problems, taking wine is not helpful. In fact, it is injurious.

           
Be very careful to get good, sound advice when you are ill so that you do not make matters worse.

           
Verse 24, “Some men's sins are open beforehand,” that is, some men’s sins are obvious to everyone, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.”

           
Some people, their errors and sins are very obvious to everyone. Other people, they may have sins but those sins are more or less secret and they don't come out for a long time. So, be careful not to jump to conclusions and not to make snap judgments about anyone or anything.

           
“Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.”

           
Meaning, that sooner or later, your good works that you do; will be revealed. God will reveal these things in due time. You shall receive a reward for the thing that you do, either good or evil.

           
Chapter 6, “Let as many who are servants, who are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise those masters because they are brethren; but rather serve and because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.” We are to submit to those who have authority over us.

           
“If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to the wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is a proud person, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strife’s of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmising, perverse disputing of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”

           
No Scripture is of any private interpretation. You should never try to and you cannot come up with a doctrine; by taking a single word and trying to figure out what that word means and then building a whole fantasy or doctrine around it. It must fit together with all other Scripture. All of the Scriptures must fit together perfectly in order to form a sound doctrine. You can't just take one word and say, "Well, I think that this word means such and such. And therefore that means that and that means that." And you come up with a whole humanly devised doctrine.

We should take a word or phrase and put it together with what it says over here; and what it says over there; and what this says. And we'll put the whole thing together and then we will see the big picture, we will see the whole teaching on the particular matter."  And don’t forget the synonyms!

           
Supposing that gain is godliness and from such withdraw thyself. That is, people who think, "Oh, we've got 30 million members, so we're godly people. Oh we're growing 30 percent a year, so we must be pleasing God. Or we got X millions of dollars, so we must be godly. Or we built this huge auditorium or we have this fantastic college and we must be godly."

           
No, gain is not godliness, physical gain. Look at all the false prophets and all the false teachers of error who are so incredibly rich. That doesn't mean anything. Physical things don't mean anything.

           
Whether we are pleasing God or not,  has to do with whether we are keeping His commandments and whether we are standing on His word and on the sound doctrine; whether we are repenting of sin, repenting of breaking His commandments and whether we are putting God first in all things.

           
Look through history. God's people have been a little flock -- destitute, despised, and abused by the world. Being rich is not a sign of being godly. Very often, it is a sign of the exact opposite. If you're being flooded with physical blessings, watch out. Either there's a big trial coming or you’re somehow on the wrong track.

           
Always, always put God first. That is the important thing. And if physical blessings come your way, rejoice in the Lord that he has blessed you. But do not rely on those physical things. Always remember that it is your faithfulness to God and your obedience to God which is the important thing and be ready to give up those physical things if that becomes necessary to be faithful to God.

           
With godliness is much contentment "but godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing let us be therewith content. For they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts; which drown men in destruction and perdition.” Perdition is another word for damnation or destruction.

           
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after that, erred after the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness,” which is keeping the commandments of God, follow after godliness which is doing God's will.

           
“Follow after faith, love, patience, meekness and humility. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on the eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

           
He is speaking specifically to Timothy here but he is also speaking to all others who should come thereafter.

           
“I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things,” that is, brings all things back to life, or brings things up in the resurrection.

           
And before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting.”

           
That is, if a human being were to see God in His full glory, we would be blinded and just consumed with the brightness of His coming.

           
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in those uncertain riches, but in the trust in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they are rich in good works, ready to distribute or to help others, to support others, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

           
“O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and the oppositions of false science: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you.”

           
And he is referring here to false science. He's referring to the doctrine of evolution, as put forward by the Epicureans. The idea of evolution is a very ancient thing indeed. It is not some modern idea. It is very ancient indeed. So, he's talking about evolution as put forward by the Epicureans as being a false science. And he is telling Timothy, "Stay steadfast in the faith, steadfast in the gospel. Put your heart and mind in the word of God. And don't go after all of these false religions and false teachers of false doctrines and false philosophies but remain rooted in the word of God." And that is a very instruction which many in leadership positions in the Church of God would do well to follow.

           
The idea of the Primacy of Peter, the prophecies of Nostradamus, or the Maya, or various other groups throughout history; should not be given the time of day. We should not waste our time studying such nonsense. We should be standing on the foundation of Jesus Christ, the apostles, and prophets who wrote the Holy Scripture, as they were sent by Almighty God. We are to stand on God's Word and not on the traditions of the heathen.

James David Malm       Copyright 2010