Speaking 1 & 2 Timothy

 

1 & 2 Timothy

Here are the "speaking the Bible" summaries for the Timothy's.

Click here for the index

1 Timothy Summaries
10-13-2020

The exact time and location of Paul's letter to Timothy is unclear. Somewhere around 63-67 A.D. or thereabouts. Paul tells Timothy that he urged him to stay in Ephesus to instruct certain ones not to teach strange doctrines or pay attention to myths and endless genealogies which cause speculations. The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. He mentions those who want to teach the Law, not knowing what they're doing. Law is not for the righteous, but for sinners. 

Paul thanks God that in spite of his ignorant, violent behavior in the past, God showed him mercy and made him an example of the Lord's patience. He encourages Timothy to fight the good fight according to the prophecies previously given him. He mentions two who have rejected faith and good conscience and have been turned over to Satan to learn not to blaspheme. Prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings should be made on behalf of all, for all in authority, so we may live a quiet life in godliness. God desires all to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth. There is one God, and one Mediator between God and man--Jesus. 

Paul, who has been appointed as a preacher, apostle, and teacher of the Gentiles, instructs the women to dress modestly and in good works, to receive instruction quietly. Adam being made first was not deceived, but the woman was deceived. He gives qualifications for overseers and deacons so its known how to conduct oneself in the house of God. The Spirit says some will fall away in the latter days--deceived and listening to doctrines of demons. Forbidding to marry or eat certain foods. In pointing these things out he will be a good servant of Christ and constantly nourished on the words of faith and sound doctrine. 

Don't listen to worldly fables but discipline yourself for godliness which holds promise for this life and the one to come. He tells Timothy not to let anyone look down on his youth, but let his speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity be an example. He tells him to read the Scripture publicly again and not to neglect the gift in him given through prophecy and laying on of hands. He says to pay close attention to himself and his teaching. 

Paul instructs how to treat older and younger men, women, widows, and what defines a true widow. He says how to treat elders and accusations against them. How slaves are to treat their masters. If anyone advocates a different doctrine, he doesn't understand anything. He thinks godliness is means of gain, which it is if accompanied by contentment. Be content with food and covering.

Those who want to be rich fall into a snare for the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil. Instruct the rich not to fix their hope in uncertain riches, but on God who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Tell them to do good and be generous. He ends by telling Timothy to guard what's been entrusted to him and avoid worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge."

• Pray for earthly authority to align with godly authority.
• For all authority--in homes, churches, and business--to align with godly authority.
• For sound doctrine to be studied, learned, and taught in alignment with the truth.
• For deception and false teaching to be exposed and removed.
• For accusations to be handled properly.
• For people not to trust in money or pursue it without contentment, but to trust in God, to do good, and be generous.
• For individuals to discipline themselves in godliness--which holds promise for both this life and the one to come.

2 Timothy Summaries
10-14-2020

Paul wrote to Timothy again during his second imprisonment in Rome, probably around 67-68 A.D. shortly before he was martyred (68 A.D.). Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D. Paul thanks God as he constantly remembers Timothy in his prayers day and night, longing to see him, remembering the faith of his grandmother and mother. He reminds him to kindle afresh the gift of God in him, given through Paul's laying on of hands. God hasn't given us a spirit of timidity but power, love, and discipline.

He says not to be ashamed of the Lord, or of Paul, but to join in the suffering. Retain the standard of sound words. Guard the treasure entrusted to him. He mentions that all of Asia turned away from him and blesses Onesiphorus who sought him out in Rome. He tells him to be strong and entrust what he's heard from Paul to faithful men who are able to teach others. Suffer hardship as a good soldier, one who doesn't entangle himself with the affairs of everyday life, so as to please the one who enlisted him.

Paul says he endures everything for the sake of the chosen so they also may obtain salvation. He says to remind them not to wrangle about words. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God--accurately handling the Word of Truth. Avoid worldly and empty chatter which leads to further ungodliness. Some say the resurrection has already come and upset the faith of some. He who cleanses himself from these will be a vessel of honor for the Master. The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, correcting the opposition in gentleness, so perhaps God will grant repentance to the knowledge of truth.

Paul speaks of the last days--the difficult times. He describes the attitude and behavior of men and says to avoid them. They have a form of godliness, but deny its power, always learning but not coming to the knowledge of truth. Opposing truth, their folly will be obvious to all. He says to follow him. He had received him out of all the persecutions he endured. Evil men will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived, but continue in the Scriptures he's learned from childhood. All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be adequate and equipped for every good work.

Paul ends charging Timothy to preach the Word for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but wanting their ears tickled will accumulate teachers to themselves according to their own desires. Paul says the time of his departure has come and he asks Timothy to come visit.

• Be aware of the hardships and persecutions that come from those with a form of godliness, from those who are quarrelsome, from empty chatter, and foolish speculations.
• Beware of the ungodly attitudes and behavior of others, from those looking to have their ears tickled. Don't get caught up in that.
• Keep yourself as a vessel of honor.
• Stay true to sound doctrine--to the Scriptures.
• Be kind, patient, teach, and correct with all gentleness