< 1 Timothy 1 >

Paul had a very close spiritual relationship with Timothy, calling him his “son in the faith”, and wrote to help him.

Timothy had been left at Ephesus because some were teaching other doctrines than the truth and turning aside to fables.

The disciples had to be reminded that only those who maintain belief in the truth, “the glorious gospel of the blessed God”,v.11Waiting for response for 1 Timothy 1:11 and maintain purity in their manner of life will be accepted by Christ at his return. Those who depart from “sound doctrine” v.10Waiting for response for 1 Timothy 1:10 or engage in the abominations of the flesh vs.9-10Waiting for response for 1 Timothy 1:9-10 will be rejected. Timothy was therefore to urge disciples to follow the example of Paul himself,v.16Waiting for response for 1 Timothy 1:16 to “believe on Jesus Christ to life everlasting”, v.16Waiting for response for 1 Timothy 1:16 and to keep the commandments for “the end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned”.v.5Waiting for response for 1 Timothy 1:5

One of the errors introduced into the Christian community was that of the trinity, a fable of Paganism, whereas there is only one true God as Paul exclaimed: “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever”.v.17Waiting for response for 1 Timothy 1:17 Jesus is not equal with God or a member of a trinity of gods - he is the Son of God and a son of man. This clear distinction between Jesus and his Father is repeatedly emphasised in the scriptures, e.g. “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”. 1 Timothy 2:5Waiting for response for 1 Timothy 2:5 Could it be expressed more clearly? Eternal life depends on us knowing and believing the truth about the one true, living God and about his Son Jesus Christ. John 17:3Waiting for response for John 17:3 Jesus gave himself as a “ransom” when he sacrificed his life on the cross. 1 Timothy 2:6Waiting for response for 1 Timothy 2:6

Some had “turned aside” from the right way and caused such conflict to arise that the disciples were urged to “war a good warfare” v.18Waiting for response for 1 Timothy 1:18 against the errorists, “holding faith, and a good conscience”.v.19Waiting for response for 1 Timothy 1:19 Hymenaeus and Alexander v.20Waiting for response for 1 Timothy 1:20 were principal enemies of the truth in the congregation, and were to be “delivered to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme”. Of course, this cannot be the supernatural evil being of popular belief for from such a being, if he existed, they would “learn to blaspheme” rather than not to do so! In fact, these men were removed from the congregation to protect the other disciples from the false teaching, and in the world (the adversary) they would learn not to blaspheme.