The Mystery Program

1.5 Credit Hours

First Timothy

Chapter One

Paul our Pattern

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

   Paul was commanded to be an apostle of Jesus Christ. When God called him, he did not have a choice. It is a position of authority delegated to him by God to send him to make and teach disciples.

   An apostle was to be obeyed because he spoke for God much like the prophet did in the old testament. Timothy was also a pastor by the commandment of God when

   God called Paul into the ministry and he had authority by God to teach and guide the body of Christ and to protect it from the wolves that sought to destroy it.

   Notice that God is here called our Saviour. Jesus Christ is also called our Saviour because they are one. You have no hope for salvation in any other and you cannot save yourself.

2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

   Paul had led Timothy to the Lord through his preaching the gospel of the grace of God to him and his family.

    Paul alters his usual greeting of grace and peace and instead adds mercy in between them because he is talking to an individual personally (Timothy) and not to a church directly.

   Timothy would need the mercy of God when he would fall through the many wiles of the devil that would be thrown at him in the future.

   The important thing for a believer to remember here is that grace, mercy and peace, all come from God, and not the apostle Paul, they are a gift from God in this age.

   Grace and peace are Paul's usual opening words of comfort from God to the church in whatever city he happened to be writing to.

  These are the conditions that mankind is enjoying in this present age where God is allowing grace instead of demanding obedience to the law, where he his allowing peace between him and sinful mankind instead of giving them the wrath they deserve.

3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

  Paul writes this first epistle to Timothy after his first imprisonment in Rome and we know that because Timothy was not in the church in Ephesus before Paul's first imprisonment or visit to Ephesus. 

    He was after his first imprisonment because he was with Paul for much of his two years in his own hired house in Rome assisting Paul.

   As the new pastor Timothy would have to be the one to watch over the flock and protect it from without and within. Some inside the flock led by the flesh and the devil, would bring in false or silly doctrines that would divide the flock.

    Paul told Timothy to command others not to teach any other doctrine than that which they received from him.

5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6 from which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

  Today this problem is rampant amongst denominational and non-denominational churches who blend law and grace. They spiritualize verses and say they do not really mean what they say while claiming Israel's verses for their own.

    They do not understand how to rightly divide the word of truth. No one who truly understands grace would desire to be a teacher of the law.

8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;

   A good person is someone who knows God's laws and keeps them because they are right. While the law was fulfilled in Christ that doesn't mean it is of no significance today.

   Many well-meaning people want to place us back under the law because it is the flesh's natural tendency to do so. The flesh wants to boast and say, "I never do this, and I always do that!" There is no room for boasting under grace.

9 Knowing this, that the law 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, 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

   The law is to convict us of sin and to ultimately condemn us as sinners in need of a Saviour. It was to point or literally push you towards a Saviour. No one will look for a Saviour if they think they have no need of one.

   The Law informs the sinner he needs the righteousness of God and it’s for this reason the lost stay far away from God and his law.

   It ought to be the very thing that compels them to run to God, but sin loves darkness and will not come to the light lest his deeds should be reproved.

11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

   Paul was saying that we are to understand the position the law once held under the gospel of the kingdom and we are to separate or rightly divide that from the glorious new gospel that he received called the gospel of grace, which was given to him to give to the world as the apostle of the Gentiles.

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

   How did Paul merit the position of apostle of the Gentiles? He didn't in and of himself, but Christ enabled him (equipped him) and gave him the qualifications to be what He wanted Paul to be.

   Have you ever murdered numerous people, caused them to lose their jobs, divided their families and maimed people before for some false teaching you held onto? Paul did, and God was able to forgive him and use him and he can use you in some ministry.

14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

   To forgive your chief rival takes an act of grace and God's grace exceeds whatever amount sinful mankind could ever need and Christ is the personification of God's grace and love.

15 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.

   What did Paul mean that he was the chief of sinners? Was he the worst sinner on the planet? No! The word chief means first, lead or head according to most dictionaries.

   When you go onto to an Indian Reservation and you run into the Chief you have ran into the head of the Indian Tribe.

   Saul (later called Paul) was the leader of the rebellion of sinners against God at that time and was persecuting and opposing the very thing that God was doing at that time in the nation of Israel.

   He was the leader of the rebellion. He was Satan's right-hand man if you will although he did it ignorantly and in unbelief as stated above.

16 Howbeit for this because I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

   Because Saul was the chief (leader) of sinners God wanted to use him to show the world that if Saul could be saved anyone could. 

   In Paul first, first, first, no I don’t have a problem with my computer I am trying to get you to focus on something Satan doesn't want you to see.

   In Paul first, simply means exactly what it says. Something started with Paul! What? Read on. Jesus Christ is showing the world through Paul's salvation God's longsuffering for sinners.

    Paul is the first in this age that God chose to do in such a fashion. God could have immediately ushered in the tribulation period and His Wrath on a Christ rejecting nation and world, but He didn't.

   Instead he chose to be longsuffering and to show the world how gracious he really was in spite of Israel's fall.  So God begins to save gentiles before Israel is risen to its promised position as head of all nations during the prophesied kingdom. 

   God now institutes something new, the body of Christ, were there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile during this un-prophesied time period which was a mystery kept hidden from before the foundation of the world.

   Paul was the first that God saved by grace through faith in this age and he serves as a pattern for all who should believe hereafter.

17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

    Because God has chosen to use the apostle Paul in this way as a pattern to all who should believe hereafter God will receive glory and honour throughout all eternity for showing his great longsuffering and love for all humanity in saving His chief enemy.

18 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;

   Timothy was to educate all who should believe on Christ from then on of the longsuffering of God and how He showed that to the world in the example of his saving Saul of Tarsus, the chief of sinners, and making him the apostle of the Gentiles.

   Paul had originally received the charge to show the world the long suffering of God and he did an excellent job everywhere he went. He would constantly tell his own salvation testimony to any that would hear as is evidenced throughout the book of Acts.

   Timothy had that charge from God committed unto him by Paul and as Timothy was faithful in his ministry, he in turn recommitted that charge unto us to make all men see what the fellowship of the mystery is, and how Paul's salvation plays into that.

    Paul had obviously laid hands on Timothy earlier and prophesied what it was that Timothy would do one day for the Lord and Paul was reminding him of that calling that was a command of God for Timothy to follow just as Saul's call to be an apostle was,

19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

   There are those who teach from this verse that a person can lose their salvation by neglecting their faith long enough. Their salvation ship sunk due to sin. The ship of salvation however will never sink because God is the one who does the saving.

   People can who no longer hold to the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith that saved them eternally, can now hold to a works doctrine of justification through circumcision and or the deeds of the law, but it doesn't alter their salvation one bit.

   Many people have gotten confused by Satan after having been saved and started to teach things that are contrary to sound doctrine that is the equivalent of a ship that is sinking.

   People who hear their wrong understanding of salvation will not be saved because they will not be trusting solely in Christ for their salvation. 

  This is a shipwrecked faith. They went away from the teaching that which saved them and started teaching works plus faith or maintaining your faith.

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

   Hymenaeus and Alexander after being saved by grace later rejected the Their selfish pride led them to turn a blind eye to the significance of Paul's ministry as many still do today because of their blind obedience to the traditions of others and they have made themselves hirelings and not true servants.

   Delivering one unto Satan has to do with administering church discipline on an individual who refuses to repent of his wickedness and then the whole matter is transferred over to God for His chastening hand to administer correction as he sees fit.

   Paul could not deliver someone over to Satan for the destruction of the body unless they were God's child in the first place.

   They were God's children and they went away from the truth and began to teach contrary to sound doctrine regarding salvation and God disciplines his children and that is what Paul was doing in turning these two over to be disciplined.

   They are both mentioned in the fourth chapter of Paul's second epistle to Timothy. To teach that you can lose your salvation is the equivalent of blasphemy!

Chapter Two

The Knowledge of the Truth

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

   Many wrongly interpret this verse to say it is only talking about praying for our leaders, but Paul is clear in saying that we should pray for all men.

   But what is it we are to be praying for? Lower taxes, less regulations, more handouts? Not even close. For one we are to be praying for them so that we may lead (live) a quiet and peaceable life.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

   Once a person gets saved it is God's will that they all come unto the knowledge of the truth. The truth is not what they believed to be saved but rather what you are supposed to believe after you are saved.

   Many believers today walk around their whole life and never come unto the knowledge of the truth. That truth is the revelation of the mystery that has been kept secret since the world began, but has now been made known by the apostle Paul to us ward who believe.

   The knowledge of the truth has to do with God's plan for this age and our part in it. Most of my friends have absolutely no clue what I am talking about because they have never come to the knowledge of the truth yet.

   They are still not rightly dividing the word of truth as Paul commands us to in 2 Timothy 2:15.

   We have to be able to divide Israel's mystery program which had been kept secret from the foundation of the world but now has been given to the church from Israel's prophecy program which has been spoken about since the foundation of the world by Israel's prophets.

    While you are praying for someone to be saved you can also pray that if they do that, they would then come unto the knowledge of the truth that Paul proclaimed and if they are already saved then half of the job is done, we just need to pray they understand the mystery program.

    Why do not more believers understand the mystery program because we are not praying for them to, nor are we obeying Paul in Ephesians three by making all men see what the fellowship of the mystery is. Pray for them and then tell them for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

   Notice that I have underlined "all" the part of the preceding verses that state that God wants "all" men to be saved! All men! Amen! Quit listening to John Piper, and John Calvin. God's word says "all".

   Not only does he want "all" men to be saved but he also wants "all" men to come unto the knowledge of the truth. He hates all the division in the body of Christ.

   There are divisions precisely because we "all" have not come unto the knowledge of the truth for this age. We need to pray for "all" men to see what the fellowship of the mystery is.

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

   There is only one way these leaders are ever going to get saved and that is when they realize that God exists and that there is only God and that one God has one mediator that stands between Him and them and that is the man Christ Jesus.

   If these leaders will not come to the only mediator that the one and only God will accept then they will perish contrary to God's will that all men be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth.

6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

   What did that mediator do? He gave himself a ransom for them? They were being held by the captor and there was no ransom that they could afford to pay because the price was perfection.

   Christ who knew no sin became sin (not a sinner) for us and tasted death for us to ransom all who would call upon him.

   To be testified in due time means that this message was not preached before the cross by the twelve, nor John the Baptist, nor any of the prophets because it was the unsearchable riches of Christ which were made known unto us by the apostle Paul.

7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

   For those two reasons Paul was ordained a preacher and an apostle of the Gentiles to let all of us Gentiles know what God has planned for us in His eternal plan for the ages.

8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

   Now Paul tells us how we are to pray for all men. We are to pray without wrath towards any or all men who are lost. They are in ignorance and unbelief, so we should not hold them to the standards of conduct we expect from other believers.

    We are to pray believing that God will save and that he will bring men to an acknowledging of the truth if we will pray for them. Who are you praying for and how are you praying for them?

    This verse speaks more to the holiness of your hands than it does to the position of your hands in prayer. He would rather your hands be free from sin than at a particular elevation.

9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

   Paul is saying that it is his will that women adorn themselves in such a manner and that if the women are not as God wills in this matter that we ought to pray for these women to be in such a fashion.

   Some preachers will hound their women to dress in such a way and yet they have never spent a moment praying they would come to that conviction in their own hearts. They would be happy if they just succumbed to their peer pressure.

11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

   Prayer can also be useful when dealing with these issues as well, but it is very clear that God has given mankind an order for the church and the home, and God has set the man to be the spiritual leader of both, and you can argue with me all your life, but it will never change what God clearly says here. 

    Ladies don't let this verse scare you, Adam sinned. Over and over again in Paul's epistles we learn how that Adam sinned and the terrible consequences of sin. Eve's sin was due to her being deceived but that didn't plunge mankind into sin.

Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 

    Adam just flat out rebelled, while Eve was deceived. Adam should have corrected Eve, but he did not. He was standing right there listening to Eve and Satan's Bible Exposition.

   Adam just didn't want to offend Eve. Adam went along with the deception that Eve fell for.

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

   This verse does not mean that a woman can be saved by having children because that would mean hundreds of other very clear scriptures which teach contrary to that fact are wrong.  No scripture is of any private interpretation. So what does it mean?

   Have you ever been in a near death situation and needed rescuing? I have, as a young child drowning in a pool when my uncle reached down and saved me. He did not give unto me eternal life by his actions, but he saved my life.

   Have you ever known of anyone who was going down the wrong road in life ignorantly or even willfully and then they got turned around by someone intervening in their life?

   They will often say that so and so saved their life. They don't mean saved them from hell or even saving them from dying but saving them from a life of despair and emptiness because they were going a way that was contrary to what was right.

   The woman that recognizes her God given roll as a help meet to her husband, and who adorns herself modestly and has good works will save her own life and that of her husband and children from one of despair and destruction.

   That is if she raises them up as a good example to them, teaching them, not her husband, that is the context. Who is she supposed to teach, and who is she not supposed to teach. 

   This very act is mostly to blame for the rampant departure of the man from the natural use of the woman, and for women to begin to burn in their lust one toward another, working that which is unseemly.

   Save yourself and your family from such tragedy ladies. The act of the woman usurping the God given role of the man has produced way too much confusion in our young people's minds and hearts and has made them fertile ground for the effeminate crowd to come in and lead them astray.

Chapter Three

Bishops and Deacons

1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

   The office, or position of a bishop, is a good office to have according to God's word, and those who would seek that office should seek it from the bottom of their heart.

   There is no better job in the world if you rejoice in taking broken lives and putting them back together again. It is a good work.

   It is not a position that should be sought so that a person will be thought well of in the public's eye. It is not a position to be sought after at all, if you are not sure that you can devote yourself to the needs of others above your own.

   The title bishop is synonymous with that of elder and pastor, they are all considered as overseers of the house of God.

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

   A person to qualify for the office must be blameless in the eyes of his congregation and God as well in the following areas: he is to be the husband of one wife.

   Some say it means, one wife at a time. I would disagree, but if you don't agree with me, thats okay, make sure you are basing your position on scripture and not because you want to dump your current wife and marry someone else.

   I know of a pastor that holds this position mentioned above, and he has had three wives (all still alive) since I have known him, and he keeps on Pastoring, and people keep on listening to him.  

.., Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. Romans 14:5

   Also with regard to this qualification it says that he is to be the "husband" of one wife. That, along with other comments made by Paul to Timothy concerning women in the church lets you know that a woman is not to be the spiritual leader of the church in any way, shape, or form.

   Those who do, no matter how nice they are, or how good they can preach, they are in direct rebellion with God's word.

   They are to be vigilant, one who is not lazy concerning the responsibilities of the office because it will have very negative consequences on those over whom they are called to serve if they are derelict in their duties and not watching for trouble to head it off before it gets too big to handle.

   The bishop is to be sober or rational in their thinking and actions, as well as someone who is known as a good person who is hospitable to others because they will spend much of their time concerning themselves with other people’s lives and they should be as concerned for them as they are for their own families

3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

   Paul had to force Timothy to take "a little wine" for his oft infirmities because a minister is not to allow himself to be under the control of these harmful spirits.

   Wine deadens a man's ability to make good decisions because he is impaired. If you wish to argue for your bottle do so with someone else, I have no time for your foolish ideas. You are deceived according to the scriptures!

   Paul tells Timothy that a bishop must be gentle and diplomatic, not someone who believes that might is right, or even someone who tries to get the numbers on his side to bully others into doing what he wants.

   He is not to be greedy for lucrative, those money-making schemes that line his pocket. He should be spending his time in the word and in his parishioners’ homes and not their pockets or anyone else’s for that matter which goes hand in hand with the requirement that he not be covetous.

   These two qualifications disqualify half of our Tele-Evangelist who also serve as pastors from their positions as they rarely can open their mouth without making a request for funds to be put into their ministry.

4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

   How many times have we seen the preacher’s kid be the wild kid or kids in the church? Not as often as some like to think but occasionally it has happened, and it is a reflection on how the preacher implements (rule) the principles found in the word of God in his own family (house).

   It is also a good indicator of whether or not he will emphasize proper instructions (take care of) to the local assembly if he is not doing it in his own family.

6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

   The biggest problem a young person with no experience can fall into is that of pride and pride cometh before a fall. The Bible doesn't say how they will fall but the fall is certain when their chest gets so big, they can no longer see their feet and they trip and great is the fall thereof.

   In Israel under the law, a man could not become a priest until he had reached the age of 30, and all the while they were an adult they were learning beside older men of God with experience as they continued their studies and ministered in lesser capacities before having all the responsibilities thrust upon them of the priesthood.

   How many times have I heard about an 18-year-old youth pastor who is still a youth getting in trouble with a young girl in their youth department because she looked up to him so much and his pride blinded him, and two people's lives are drastically altered that could have been prevented with some patience and maturing.

   The same could be said for a 21-year-old pastor who is put into situations counseling beautiful young women who are having rough marriages.

   They could come to the young pastor for counseling and they both end up in trouble together because his pride led him to believe he didn't need to take any precautionary measures like having his wife present with him during those counseling sessions as a more mature pastor would and should.

7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

   The bishop/pastor should have a good reputation if he is to be effective in the community. Some who were known as the town drunk before getting saved will find it hard convincing people to come to their church unless considerable time has passed, and the change has been made obvious in their life.

   It can be discouraging for a person who is put into a position of pastor because their father was the previous pastor and their reputation was not one that should be expected of a minister’s son for them to be taken seriously by that church because of the past report.

   This is not the case in every situation as I can think of many a pastor's sons who have gone on into the ministry after having had a rough stage in High School.

   We have to remember that kids will be kids and that they are only kids and not hold their youthful faults against them in their adult ministries. Many of them actually do grow up, while some in the pew have yet to do so. Ouch!

8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

   Deacons must be serious (grave) about the position they hold and not use it as a position of power to get their agenda approved in the church.

   They ought to speak in unison with the decisions of the church not saying one thing to one person and another to someone else to gain favor with them.

   They are not to be given too much wine. Drinking wine for the purpose of becoming intoxicated is a sin of course.

   Deacons should not be sought out from those who are in the pursuit of great wealth because their decisions will not be made based on faith but on something else.

9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

   This qualification is the most abused and confused in the body of Christ today because 99% of those in the church do not have the slightest idea of what it means.

   If you have been reading some of the courses on this website, you will find that you are in a very small group of people that understand what Paul is talking about. 

   Paul is talking about having men serve as deacons who know the revelation of the mystery which was given to Paul to give to us in the body of Christ.

   How well are they to know it? They are to hold the tenants of the faith that was delivered to Paul in a pure conscience, meaning they have "No" problem explaining what the fellowship of the mystery is to someone who is confused.

   If a group of deacons do not know the fellowship of the mystery, then how are they going to be able to assist the pastor as he ministers God's word rightly divided?

   They won't be able to and in fact they will end up opposing the man of God because they do not hold the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

   I have heard preachers say that this means that a Deacon ought to know that they are saved. I am serious! I have heard that on more than one occasion and have read it in commentaries by great men of God who themselves don't hold the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience either.

   The scriptures make perfect sense when you understand the mystery program of God. They do not if you don't. I know many preachers, too numerous to mention, that haven't got the slightest clue as to the meaning of so many important passages because they have never learned right division.

10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

   The office of a deacon like that of a Pastor is not for a novice but someone who is spiritually mature.

   Today many are put into the position because they will push a certain agenda through that a group in the church may want that is contrary to another group in the church that is not the purpose of a deacon as we shall see in the following verses.

   Once they have proved themselves being faithful servants of Christ (being found blameless) then let them serve in the office of a deacon and not before they are ready because like a novice being put into the pastorate they too can be overtaken in pride and fall and bring many down with them.

   Churches have been split over deacons that cannot get along because they do not first have a good relationship with the Lord, and secondly with their pastor and congregation. Power can corrupt a person.

   The office of deacon is not someone who runs the church but someone who is a servant to the church.

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

   This is an often-overlooked area when selecting someone to fill the role of a deacon. Many a church has selected men to be deacons who have a wife that is not involved in the ministry of the church and one that complains instead of works to improve the church.

12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

  They have the same qualification here as does the pastor/elder of not being divorced and one who has ruled well his own house well.

   So many people are looking for a church that will explain away all these verses so that they may be qualified to serve as a deacon, but it shows that they will not serve as a servant.

   They have already proven themselves that they are to be blamed in that area if they have rowdy and unruly children and their wife has a history of being slanderous, and not faithful or sober or grave.

13 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.

   Great boldness in the faith is an evidence that they are soul winners and able to teach those that oppose themselves. Many a deacon however sits back and tries to play the role of a politician instead of a servant.

   Serving does not mean gathering a majority on some committee to get your agenda approved it means visiting the orphans and the widows. Have you done any of that deacons?

14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

   God wants us to understand that there are rules that God himself has given to us so that we may know how to behave ourselves in the house of God.

   That doesn't mean that we should be careful to whisper in the sanctuary (there is no such thing as a sanctuary in the church of God anyway as that title belongs to Israel, not the body of Christ), and that we are not to let our children run in the church building because the church is not a building, it is the saved people.

   God expects these teachings to be followed in the body of Christ (the church) and they are not to be ignored just to have people in these positions.

   If you don't have someone qualified to fill one of these positions, then you don't need a deacon yet. Pure and simple.

     The church is made up of saved people who meet to learn and to propagate the truth because it is the pillar and ground of the truth that Paul received from God to give to the body of Christ also called the church. The church not the truth! The word is the truth, and the church has the job to defend and propagate it.

16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

   What is the mystery of godliness? First of all, the word godliness has a small "g" because it concerns a mystery concerning us being godly, and how we can do that today in the dispensation of grace, which was been revealed through Paul by revelation.

   That fact that the Christ/Messiah that is spoken about throughout all of the old testament is Immanuel, God with us, in human form (God became a man) is not a mystery in the scriptures.

   Jesus is now being preached unto the Gentiles ever since Israel's fall that he died for their sins, was buried,  and rose again from the dead the third day according to the scriptures, and that he was received up into heaven to sit at his Father's right hand until his enemies be made his footstool.

   The mystery of godliness deals with us being christ like, as Christ in us, manifest himself through us as we put on Christ as the one new man. 

   Sadly, the verse says that the mystery of godliness is without controversy, because many in our own ranks have caused there to be a great controversy where God through Paul said there was none. A lot more will be said on this at a latter time. Please check back here and in our course on the mystery of godliness later. 

 Chapter Four

The Latter times

1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

   Paul wanted us to understand that the holy Spirit spoke to him expressly concerning the latter times to warn us of what they would hold.

   Paul thought he would see the rapture in his lifetime and no doubt thought he was in the last moments of the latter times as he spent his last few years of his life in prison, but Paul didn't know that the latter times were still afar off.

   Paul is not speaking about the last days of Israel's prophecy program, but the latter times of the dispensation of grace leading up to the blessed hope also known as the rapture by believers today.

   The last days of Israel's prophecy program ended with their blinding as a nation in the early Acts period as the dispensation of grace was ushered in with Paul and his epistles for the body of Christ, and they will resume only after the church is taken away in the rapture and the time of Jacob's trouble begins.

   We are most likely living in the last of the latter times. The very time that Paul is speaking about when the Holy Spirit expressed to Paul that we today should be ready for the wickedness that is coming upon us.

   Notice that the Spirit told Paul that some would depart from the faith because they gave heed to seducing spirits who bewitched them with their doctrines of devils.

   Then he goes on and explains just what those doctrines would be so when his saints see those things coming to past, they could recognize them and avoid the seducing spirits that have deceived people. These devils have been dispatched in these latter times by none other than Satan himself.

   It is said that these spirits would use their doctrines to seduce people to depart from "the faith" and this is true, but some read into this something that is not simply there.

   Once a believer is saved, he is eternal secure and cannot lose his or her salvation, but they can be seduced by a doctrine that comes from these devils into now believing and teaching something contrary to "the faith" they once received and believed and preached.

   This does not mean they lose their salvation but rather they now are preaching a doctrine that has departed from what is correct for this age and in that sense,  they have left "the faith".

   Their faith has not left them, but they are now preaching something that will not save the hearers of their new message. They will one day give an account for not heading to the warning of the Holy Spirit found in this chapter to watch out for these seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.

   Paul must have thought he was living in the latter times because at the end of his ministry he writes to Timothy to hold fast that form of sound words that he had heard of Paul for all of Asia had turned away from Paul and his teachings at that time. How it must have grieved him and God.

2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

   One of the identifying characteristics of these false teachers is their doctrines that forbid marriage and their commanding of God's people to abstain from meats which God had created to be received with thanksgiving.

   Both of these are doctrines held by Catholics. Priest are forbidden to marry which is totally contrary to the scriptures as even Peter himself had a wife and a mother in-law.

   The doctrine of abstaining from meats on Friday is still an obligation of every Catholic, however if it is inconvenient, they are allowed to replace it with another unbiblical requirement given to them by the Catholic church.

   This is not a reference as some of my anti-Messianic friends like to say about eating pork or not. Has not this church with its false doctrines permeated the whole earth with its doctrines of devils?

6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

   We are to warn our people as pastors about the fallacies of these people who have been deceived in order to be considered in God's eyes as a good minister of Jesus Christ.

    We are to nourish the church up in the words of faith and the good doctrine, just like Timothy received from Paul. See 2 Tim 1:13-14 and Acts 20:25-31

7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

   Spiritual exercise is the studying of God's word concerning doctrine as well as how we ought to behave and the refusing of false teachings and profane old wives’ fables that are constantly passed down from generation to generation.

   We have to many people today who are spiritual wimps because they do not exercise their faith in defending it and the let the devils spread their doctrines without so much as a challenge.

9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 11 These things command and teach.

   Whether the lost receive Christ as their Saviour or not it does not change the fact that that is who Jesus is. Notice also that Paul is very clear that the living God is the Saviour of all men, which also means that Jesus is God.

   He is more of a Saviour to those of us who have believed and received the salvation that he has wrought for us than he can ever be to someone who has rejected it.

   Paul then instructs Timothy and all of us who are reading God's word to establish convictions about what you believe and don't back down from them and of course we are to share them with others. Get busy doing that!

12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

   Timothy was not to let those who would claim he was too young to know any better, to despise his youth as long as he was a living example of what a bishop/pastor ought to be.

   He was put in that position by God and unless he was immature and irresponsible those who were his senior were to respect the office he held and follow their leader.

13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

   Pastors should be avid readers of the scriptures and not the writings of other men. Should we read other men's writings? Yes, of course! But the amount of scripture being read should far outweigh the amount of man's writings we read.

   Commentaries are great but never come to the place in your ministry that you skim through the scriptures to get to what man has written in their commentaries.

   Ask God what his word means and do searches throughout the scriptures on different subjects. No nugget of truth is more precious than the one you dug out yourself.

   Why do some preachers spend most of their time in the writings of others and very little in the scriptures alone? Because it is easy to find things when others have done most of the work for you.

   You can find many wonderful things from great men of God, but you can also be easily misled if the scriptures do not have the preeminence in your readings. Beware!

   Exhortations! Now Paul is just meddling! Not really, but that is what people will say if you preach with conviction on a subject. The devils hate a preacher with convictions because he exhorts his hearers to do something with what they have heard.

   Doctrine divides is the modern-day cry on "Christian" Radio and Television and it should not be the case. Paul said we ought to give heed to doctrine because it does divide!

   It divides light from darkness, and produces biblical unity. That's what the devil's crowd doesn't want, true biblical unity. They love an "anything goes" unity, but not doctrinal unity.

14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

   This the first of two times Paul tells Timothy to use the gift that was in him that he received from Paul and others when they (the presbytery) all laid hands on him. 2 Timothy 1:6 mentions it as well.

   This time he tells Timothy not to neglect the gift but to use it for the furtherance of the gospel and the edification of the body of Christ and in second Timothy he is reminded about his gift and told to stir it up and get busy utilizing it.

   This gift was given to Timothy was not a gift of miracles or signs but a helps gift that would build up the church. Most likely it was a gift of speaking in such a way that men would be drawn to Christ and not to Timothy himself.

   These gifts were not being given to the body of Christ after Israel's blindness was set in but before, God still does gift those he calls today with whatever they need to perform exactly what they need to do for the Lord, but not with sign gifts.

15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

   Do you meditate on what God's word means? Do you give yourself wholly unto them? If you do not it will show, and it will appear obvious to all that hear you.

   It is a profitable thing to give the word of God its proper place in your studies and in your ministry. You will profit, and your people will profit because of it.

16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

   Paul tells Timothy and us to continue in the study and exhortation of the doctrines that God has given to the church and to continue in our own person walk with the Lord because neglect in just one of these areas will spill over into the other and we will eventually fall into something we shouldn't be doing.

   We will save ourselves and our people a lot of trouble if we will take heed to these things. Salvation is not in consideration here.

Chapter Five

 Widows and Elders

1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

   Paul starts off this chapter by telling Timothy how to treat those different groups in his church as he serves them as their pastor.

   He first addresses the elder men in the church and he instructs them that when he deals with them, he should respond to each of them as if they were his father, with respect.

   The younger men were to be considered as equals in and not as subservient to Timothy because of his position. The elder women were not to be looked down upon as no longer productive but were to be honored as a mother should be by her children.

   The young women should be protected as a brother would protect his little sister from men who would defile their purity.

   All this is said with relationship to other church members to assist Timothy in his way of thinking before he learns to deal with a very needy and neglected part of the body of Christ and that is the widows.

3 Honour widows that are widows indeed. 4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. 5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

   Timothy should as well as every pastor should teach their congregation to take care of their family members and to seek assistance if necessary.

   If a family lived like there was no tomorrow and squandered all their savings, then that can be taken into consideration before the church agrees to assist that individual.

7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. 8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

   This is directed at the Christian family who has a mother or mother in-law that loses their husband and needs financial assistance from the church.

   Today we live in a society where there is social security, and some widows have pensions of their own as well as their husbands and an accurate assessment should be made by a good deacon in the church because it is given them by God the responsibility to look after them.

   When a widow approaches the church requesting assistance a deacon should contact the immediate family to assess the situation accurately and a determination should be made if there are any short comings in the care of the widow.

   If indeed there is then it should be brought before the church for consideration.  This command from Paul to Timothy and us today is different from that of Christ while he was here on this earth with his disciples as the kingdom was at hand.

   Back then they were told to take no thought for tomorrow, because if Israel would only accept their King and the kingdom would have begun shortly. Israel did not, and now God has given to Paul the words for us to practice today in this age of grace.

9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

   It's sad to say but even if there were no social security and pensions available today many churches would be hard pressed to find a "widow indeed" today that qualifies to receive help from the church.

   Why is it no one says the wife of one man here means only one at a time like they are so ready to do for the qualifications for a pastor of a deacon?

   It is a natural tendency of our flesh to look for ways around doing what God says, and being the kind of person he expects us to be, like a widow who wants the church to take care of her, although she is too young, and she has help from her family and she has not met the spiritual qualifications.

   Today people demand their rights, and this is not a right it is earned through a life of service to God and others. 

11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some are already turned aside after Satan. 16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

   The younger widows are to be refused and encouraged to continue to follow God as they wait or seek a husband, they should take care of the children as best they can and not be given to the ways of this world in seeking a husband by spending her nights out searching in the bars and leaving the children to raise themselves.

   The church has a responsibility when there is a widow indeed to help them. When a "Christian family" refuses to help their own family and they have the means to do so, but they attempt to have the church cover their obligation then they have denied the faith and are worse than an infidel.

   How can that be that a believer can be worse than an infidel? Because an infidel doesn't know any better and he acts that way because he is who he is, but a believer knows better and is held to a higher standard than an infidel. This in no way means that a believer loses his or her salvation, but just that they are a sorry excuse for a Christian.

17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

   A pastor does his job well should receive double that of what it would take to support a widow indeed because he has more responsibilities to take care of such as a wife and children.

   Paul is definitely speaking to those with a leadership position in the church because he makes it clear that they are those who "rule well", it can also imply hear that the pastor is someone with a few years on them.

   Double honour means double support. If a church does not support their pastor sufficiently then they themselves have denied the faith and are worse than infidels.

19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

   While this practice should be used with a pastor obviously it should also be used with all believers in the church and especially someone who has laboured for a lifetime for God.

   We cannot allow their reputation to be destroyed by a single rumor. Satan knows how to destroy the work of God, and God knows how to counter that by God's people not listening to an unsubstantiated rumor by one person.

   This principal is found throughout the scriptures. By the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. (Matthew 18:16)

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

   Don't rush to give a new person a position of responsibility in the church but rather wait a while to see if their spirituality matches up with their current zeal.

  Many a wolf has destroyed many flocks before the unsuspecting sheep discovered the wolf was actually only wearing sheep’s clothing and wasn't a sheep after all.

23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

   This command was for Timothy and it was purely for medicinal purposes and those of you who would argue otherwise need to quit siding all the time on the liberal side of every issue because both you and your family would turn out better if you did.

   It makes me sick and I know it does God when believers try to find loopholes for their pet sins.

24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. 25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

   Again Paul warns Timothy to watch out for those who just show up and want to help immediately that he should not put them into positions of authority until some time has passed by and they have proven themselves.

   It is the long-term health of the church that we are to be more concerned with rather than some perceived quick gain we might receive from someone who has just showed up.

Chapter Six

Laying hold on eternal life

1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

   Slavery existed in Paul's day and God's word had something to say about how a believer should approach the subject. First God deals with the servant and then he deals with the master, but we will look at the issue of slavery first in scripture.

   Did, or does God's word condone slavery? Yes and no. Yes, there is slavery in scripture, and in some circumstances,  it was condoned. What exactly did God condone?

   First of all the word slavery is never mentioned in scripture, ever. The word slave is only mentioned once in Jeremiah 2:14, and it is in reference to Israel being a slave. The word slaves is also only mentioned once in Revelation 18:13.

   Indebted servitude was allowed by God, and not the slavery that was forced upon the people of Africa by white people here in America. If someone owed a debt, they could sell themselves to the person, they were indebted to and work off the debt.

   Provisions were made in scripture to protect the servant from the abuses of their master to whom a debt was owed.

   Sometimes a person with money would pay off the debt of a person and the leaders of that area would make record of it and they would determine just how long that person would have to serve to pay back his debt.

   Israel had an inheritance in the land and they were not allowed to give their inheritance away or sell it accept for a short period of time to pay off a debt.

   They either they had paid it off or the year of Jubilee would come, and all land would be returned to its original owners, and all servants were set free from their debts, which was a foreshadowing of the kingdom when no one will take their land and Lord over them.

   Paul tells Timothy as he ministers to those who are servants that he is to instruct them to count their masters worthy of all honour which implies they are not to dishonor them of course, but they are to hold them in high regard.

   If they refuse to honour them because they have become bitter because of their current situation they are in the wrong and they are actually blaspheming the very name of God whom they claim to follow and the doctrine of God which has in it the only means for them to get restored to their previous state.

   It is wrong for God to give them the land in the first place and they lose it for one reason or another, and God provides a way for them to have it back in a few years if you will work to pay off your debt, that they become bitter.

   He could have just let the person remain desolate because of their own mistakes but he is gracious and allows the servant to get back what he lost in the first place.

   God didn't have to do that, but He did and to dishonor their master was to ultimately dishonor and even blaspheme God and his doctrine.

3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

   There are thousands of pastors and laymen who get up each week before their class or congregation and strive over words and their meanings to make them say something God never intended them to say. These people are lifted up in pride and know nothing of the wholesome words of God.

   They will constantly refer to the Hebrew and Greek or to their favorite dictionary when the context of the passage usually makes everything pretty clear.

   I have heard many a pastor say that a portion of scripture actually means the opposite of what it clearly says in the English.

   These people are serving God but themselves and they are either trying to appeal to a larger audience to get more offerings or they are trying to get more people to agree with them, either one is contrary to and destitute of the truth.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But 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. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

   Paul is describing a hireling which doesn't care about the flock of God but about themselves and their stomach and their comfort.

   An elder that is over a congregation should be like Christ and be willing to give himself for his church instead of looking for what he can get out of it.  Timothy and every believer needs to get in the fight and stay in it against every attack of the devil.

   We as the body of Christ have given up so much ground to the devil that it seems to some like the only thing left to do is to just go along with everything and not to make waves, but God's word says the opposite.

13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 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 honour and power everlasting. Amen.

   Paul charges Timothy over and over again in this epistle because eternity is at stake for billions of people who need to hear the word of God and see it lived out in our lives’, so they too may lay hold on eternal life.

   How can they be drawn to something we are not willing to stand for? When we stand for God's word, we bring glory and honour to him.

17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

   Rich people have a gift that they are to share with those less fortunate. Here Paul tells Timothy that the rich ought to be rich in good works which would lead to some distributing of their riches to the work of God.

  The word communicate here is used in the sense of supporting the work of God, as Paul said of the Philippians who alone communicated unto him (supported him financially). 

20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

   Paul committed to Timothy's trust the gospel of the grace of God, he also committed to him the fellowship of the mystery which he had kept secret since before the world began but now must be made manifest. (Ephesians 3:8-9)

   The first epistle to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.

The End