The Strand Study Bible

Written From Macedonia During Paul’s Release From House Arrest In Rome

2027

I TIMOTHY

3:10,16 & 4:3 and Titus 1:9 & 2:1,7,10). NOTE - The number one job of a pastor is to teach proper doctrines to his people. A pastor who refuses to teach doctrine should not pastor. 4:2 This word ( Speaking lies ) is the Greek word M ευδολογων ( pseudologon ). Pseudologon is a noun in the original Greek and is masculine in gender. False doctrines (vs 1) are inspired by demons that openly declared them through men, thus false teachers and doctrines come from Satan (Mt 13:24-30,36-43), who in turn feeds them to men. 4:3 a Forced celibacy ( Forbidding to marry ) is not scriptural. Neither is only eating certain foods ( and commanding to abstain from meats ). According to the Bible, God created both “marriage” and “meats.” To forbid either one would be to hurl an insult upon the Creator Himself. 4:3 b Blessing the food you’re about to eat is scriptural ( which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving ), and should never become a ritual. “Thanking” God has a sanctifying effect. 4:4 It’s not what a person eats ( and nothing to be refused ), but what’s eating at him, that will eventually pollute a man (Mt 15:11 and Acts 10:15). 4:6 a Pastors who teach others ( If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things ) will grow themselves. 4:6 b This word ( nourished up in ) is a present participle in the original Greek, indicating a continuous learning process. As Timothy taught the brethren, he would also instruct himself. Pastors are to never relax their efforts for self-improvement. A pastor’s education should never be considered finished. Pastors who stop learning, stop pastoring, for no man can lead others where he himself has not gone. 4:7 This word ( exercise ) is the Greek word γυµναζε ( gumnaze ), from which we draw our English word “ gymnasium .” Pastors are to “train hard” on becoming a godly example to the believer (Heb 5:14 & 12:11). 4:8 When it comes to the eternal ( and of that which is to come ), nothing within the temporal ( bodily exercise; health) compares. 4:10 Jesus died for everyone’s sins ( who is the Saviour of all men - I Jn 2:2), not just those who would one day believe ( II Thess 2:13 ). God doesn’t just love all of us; He loves each of us. 4:12 In order for a pastor to become “believable” ( but be thou an example of the believers ) he must meditate (vs 15) on the following: 1. A pastor must learn to watch what he says ( word ) (Psa 15:1-4 and Eccl 5:4-6) 2. A pastor must learn to behave like he is saved ( conversation ) (I Pet 2:11-12 and Titus 2:7-8) 3. A pastor must learn to love like God loves ( charity ) (Colo 3:8-14) 4. A pastor must learn to control his own spirit ( spirit ) (Prov 25:28) 5. A pastor must learn to live by faith ( faith ) (Deut 32:20 and Lk 17:1-10) 6. A pastor must learn to live a pure life ( purity ) (Phil 4:8 and Eph 5:25-26) 7. A pastor must learn to emphasize the importance of church attendance (the public reading of Scripture was always performed at a local assembly of believers - Neh 8:1-8, I Tim 3:15, Lk 4:16 and Heb 10:25) 8. A pastor must learn to emphasize the importance of preaching ( exhortation ) (Lk 3:18 and II Tim 4:1-2) 9. A pastor must learn to emphasize the importance of teaching ( doctrine ) (I Tim 1:9-10) 10. A pastor must learn to emphasize the two kinds of gifts that the Holy Spirit bestows upon the Church (gift) (See I CORINTHIANS “MINI” SERIES) 4:14 Paul exhorted Timothy to continue to faithfully develop his spiritual gift of teaching ( Neglect not the gift - I Cor 12:31). 4:16 Those believers who choose to hear ( and them that hear thee ) will be saved from being shelved as useless vessels (I Cor 9:27). 5:1a This word ( rebuke ) is the Greek word HSLSO η [ η σ ( epiplexes ) and means “ to strike or smite (plesso) upon (epi) in a physical manner. ” The same word is used in I Tim 3:3 (translated “ striker ”) and Titus 1:7 (translated “ striker ”). God’s people are to honor their elders, not hurt them. 5:1b Depending on the context of the passage, the term “ elder ” is used in reference to three different kinds of people: 1. Older folks (I Tim 5:1) 2. Community leaders and church leaders (but not necessarily pastors) (Exo 3:16, Mt 26:47, II Jn 1 and III Jn 1) 3. Pastors (Acts 14:23 & 15:23 & 20:17-30, Titus 1:5,7, I Tim 5:17-19, Jms 5:14 and I Pet 5:1) 5:6 Those who live for the “pleasures” of the flesh are spiritually dead (useless to God; living corpses). 5:8 Rasputin (1871-1916), a Russian peasant turned monk, used his impressive physique, magnetic personality, and licentious doctrine to win the favor of the Russian elite, which by 1907 included the imperial family as well. His doctrine was simple. He promoted salvation through repentance… with a twist. The twist being: the more you sin the more opportunity you have to repent. So he encouraged the political elite of Russia to get out there and sin, sin, sin…just like him. For a period of nine years (from around 1907 to 1916) Rasputin used his religious sway to influence much of Russia’s elite society, so much so, that by the time WWI began he was able to interfere in state affairs, even to the point of naming and discharging cabinet ministers at will. By 1916 stories of his notorious conduct so polarized the city of Petrograd that his shameless antics began to outrage even the locals within the city. By then, however, he had already succeeded in corrupting the guidance of Russia. NOTE - What is really interesting about Rasputin, however, is how he got his start. Rasputin declared in 1904 (the year he began his “monkship”) that God had told him to abandon his wife and three children for the sake of the ministry. Had any of the Russian elite back then thought to simply check the Scriptures for themselves, they would had known to reject this infidel along with his immoral teachings. Sadly, people seem to place their faith in just about anyone… but God and His Word ( Gal 1:8 ).