1 Timothy 3:8-13 – Godly servers’ qualification

In Acts 6, we read of a dispute between the Hellenistic and Hebrew widows. It was there that the ministry of deacons probably saw its beginning. Seven men of good reputation, full of wisdom and the Holy Spirit, were selected and appointed as deacons. They were appointed to help handle the distribution of food to the widows. The word “deacon” literally means a “humble servant”. And due to the public profile of deacons, their characters and qualifications must also be carefully considered. So in six verses Paul tells us what sort of people can make the grade of a deacon!  

Paul first dealt with the prerequisites of the male deacons. In these verses, he gave eight of them. Firstly, deacons must be dignified, that is, they must have a serious view of life. Their seriousness of purpose in life would command the respect of those whom they serve. Secondly, they must not be double-tongued, meaning they must not be hypocritical. Deacons must be sincere people and men of their words. Thirdly, they must not be addicted to much wine. Since wine would cause a person to lose self-control, one who is called to the deaconate must not be a drunkard who could be out of control. Fourthly, they must not be fond of sordid gain. This simply means that they must not pursue dishonest financial gain. Fifthly, they must be spiritually mature and holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Deacons must seek to be practicing Christians, holding to the truth of the Gospel with a clear conscience. Sixthly, they must be proven people and found to be beyond reproach. Seventhly, deacons must be a one-woman man. By this, Paul was referring to men of moral purity. Eighthly, deacons must be good managers of his children and household.

In verse 11, Paul gave the qualifications of the deaconesses. This word deacon – translated “women” – has been differently understood. Some see Paul as dealing with qualifications for the wives of the deacons. Others see this verse as referring to qualifications of the deaconesses. Generally it is agreed that this verse is referring to qualifications of women called into the deaconate. Since Paul did not deal with qualifications for the wives of elders, why would he deal with qualifications for the wives of the deacons?

We see four qualifications required of women appointed to the deaconate. Like what was required of the deacons, deaconesses must also be dignified and worthy of respect. Furthermore, they must not be malicious gossips. Meaning to say, they should not be prone to slandering. They should have a controlled tongue instead. In addition, they must be temperate, that is, they must be sober, sensibly clear-headed and able to make sound judgments. Finally, deaconesses must be faithful in all things. They must be trustworthy and stay true to the task expected of them.

Verse 13 tells us that two things would happen when a deacon or a deaconess does the right thing. Firstly, his or her ministry would be well-received and appreciated. He or she would gain a reputation for himself or herself. Secondly, the person would be emboldened in faith and would find great confidence in knowing that the Lord is working with him or her to help those who are being served.

Conscious of it or not, we need to know that as leaders and servers of the church are, so shall the church be. Therefore we must pray and seek for godly, well qualified leaders and servers. Life’s trajectories is critical in our spiritual journey. A bit way off may be unnoticeable and insignificant at first, but it will become obvious with time. Remember the Lord had said, “A little leaven leavens up the whole lump.” For heaven’s sake, we must go for leadership and service excellence uncompromisingly. Period!  

1 Timothy 3:1-7 – Characters of key leaders

Paul had shown the importance of having right doctrines and dealt with issues relating to public worship, such as prayers, different roles of men and women in public meetings, etc. He now turned to deal with the kind of people who are qualified for leadership. The church needs people with sound characters because good leadership is fundamental to a strong church. The kind of leaders the church possesses will determine her quality.

In verse 1, Paul began by stating another of his five trustworthy statements in the Pastoral Epistles. He said that to aspire to leadership is an honorable ambition. We know that there is nothing wrong in seeking to be an overseer provided that aspiration did not stem from a selfish motive. Paul would not condone a selfish ambition to covet the office of an overseer. He was lauding the desire for the privilege to serve the people of God. To seek the office of an overseer is to seek to serve the people of God. Thus, it is a noble task.

Here in these verses Paul introduced the first of two offices - the office of overseers, the other being that of deacons. Firstly, we need to note that in the New Testament, the words – elder, overseer or bishop – are terms used to refer to the same office. They were used to refer to the pastoral oversight of the church. While the office of an elder hails from the Jewish concept, the office of a bishop or an overseer finds its root in the Greek.

Having introduced the pastoral role as a noble task, Paul then went on to show what an aspirant must have. The nobility of the task demands that candidates must not only meet the qualifications but also the characteristics to match that desire. From these verses, Paul laid down 11 areas to look out for in a person who is seeking the pastorate. In verse 2, he dealt with the need for integrity, marital fidelity, self-mastery, hospitality and teaching ability. In verse 3, he dealt with the need for controlled drinking habit, temper and temperament, and attitude toward money. Finally in verses 4-7, he dealt with the necessity for domestic discipline, spiritual maturity and a good reputation.

The church of Jesus Christ should set the moral standard for the nation. The leaders of a church to a large extent reflect the moral standard of that church. Hence it is imperative that leaders of quality be appointed. It’s the endeavor of the top leadership of the church to appoint godly characters to such a position. But know that it’s the responsibility of the members to pray with the leadership for the appointment of such leaders. Let’s find responsible leaders but let’s all be responsible members!   

1 Timothy 2:8-15 – Praying and living right

Regardless of gender, Paul’s instruction is for all to be engaged in meaningful, godly and significant activities. As the apostle to the Gentiles, Paul said that his desire was for men in every place to pray. The manner in which they must pray was prescribed. When praying, they should be “… lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.” Why pray in such a manner? Paul was primarily concerned about their attitude toward God and fellow men. Lifting holy hands would indicate their attitude of reverence to God. Not praying with wrath and dissension would result in right relationships with fellow believers, for anger and dissension would cause fractured relationships, and would not promote peace and goodwill. They would not help to accomplish the righteous work of God.  

Having dealt with the role of men, Paul then turned to the women’s role in public worship. He was, however, more concerned about their dressing and attitude. Paul asserted that women should be properly attired. They should dress modestly, decently, discreetly, judiciously and not ostentatiously. Furthermore, they should not excessively braid their hair nor overly adorn themselves with gold and pearls. For such trimmings would draw unnecessary attention to the person, and emphasized the wrong values. Instead of displaying the wrong set of values, he laid down the activities which women should engage in, as well as the attitude and manner which they should cultivate. They should work on a lifestyle that would be congruent with the claims of godly women. He urged women to let good works, rather than outward adornment, define them.

In verses 11-15, Paul expanded his counsel on what ought to be the attitude of a godly woman. To “… quietly receive instruction with entire submission” would imply that they should submit to the headship of man and not try to reverse the role. His instruction on the headship of man is based on the account of Creation and the fall. Firstly, he said that in chronology, man was created before the woman. Secondly, when Eve did not abide by that headship of Adam, she fell into transgression. Here Paul was not shielding Adam from the blame for the fall of mankind, for in his other epistles he candidly placed the responsibility of the fall on him.

Verse 15 deserves special attention. It is probably one of the most difficult verses in the Bible to interpret. The issue is further complicated by the phrase, “if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.” The word “if” makes the preservation of the woman conditional. In other words, she must keep the four virtues of faith, love, sanctity and self-restraint. What was Paul’s issue here? Which of the following propositions was on Paul’s mind? (1) That women would be preserved in the process of childbirth. (2) That women could be saved through motherhood. (3) That women would be preserved in her satisfaction and significance by staying at home to raise godly children. (4) That a woman would be saved by the birth of Christ Jesus, God’s promised Child. From the context, the third option appears most likely. It is true that women will find their significance and satisfaction in life, not in their quest for the male role but in fulfilling their God-designed role. They should stay home and be a good wife and mother, to raise her children with all “faith, love and sanctity with self-restraint.”

In a world where many are trying to be someone else other than himself or herself, this exhortation of Paul is spot on. Many reckon whatever roles they are called to play seem to be less significant than that of others. We are exhorted to recognize who we are in Christ, then live out our God given roles. Whether as a husband praying, or as a wife taking care of the home and bringing up children, we need to do as He had prescribed, and do it all for His honor. Let’s get going!    

1 Timothy 2:1-7 – The place of prayer

The importance of prayer can never be over emphasized. So we see Paul urging Timothy concerning prayers. He began in verses 1-7 by showing the scope of God’s work. It is universal in scope. Therefore, prayers ought to be offered for all men (verse 1) because the desire of God concerns all men (verse 4); and Christ’s atoning work for all (verses 5-6); and that he, Paul himself was an apostle, a preacher and teacher to the Gentiles, that is, all nations (verse 7). So we see Paul was encouraging that prayers be offered for all men, kings and all in authority as well as all men (the commoners).

Prayers should take first place and not be relegated to the last resort. It should be the church’s top priority. When Paul said “First of all …,” he was dealing with priority not in the order of time but in the order of importance. Here we also see a few significant role that prayers play. Firstly, praying would help to create an environment for believers to live a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and holiness. Without peace, the environment would not be conducive to godly and holy living. Godliness here implies devotion to God, while holiness refers to being morally upright. Secondly, praying is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, Who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth. To accomplish the concern of God to save and impact all men, prayers would be needed. The saving grace of God could only be made more effective when undergirded by prayers.

To assist in understanding the Gospel, verses 5-6 encapsulates it in a nutshell. The message of the Gospel is about God’s work through Christ that contains several elements. The Gospel tells us that there is only one God. It reveals that the only way to approach God is through Christ Jesus the Mediator, Who is God in the flesh. As the only Mediator, Christ Jesus gave Himself as a ransom for all.

In verse 7, Paul reiterated his calling and appointment as a preacher and an apostle to the Gentiles. He was a teacher to the Gentiles in matters relating to faith and truth.

The invitation to pray is an invitation to co-labor with God. Like it or not, in prayer we are forced to think about God and the world we live it. When we pray we have to grapple with the assignments God has for us in the world we live in.  Through prayer we can bring God’s plan to bear in the governmental authority, in our environment and in our redemptive mission of effecting change in the spiritual climate and destiny of our nation and world. Let’s enter in to meet the Almighty God and effect changes for His glory!  

1 Timothy 1:18-20 – Battle on, no matter what

Timothy, we will discover, was by nature a timid, diffident and reticent person. His nature, coupled with the false teachers whom he was encountering, made it necessary for Paul to admonish him to go on in his task. So here in three verses, Paul issued the challenge for him to battle on.

He started by reminding him of the instruction to do the task entrusted to him. It was a command and not a request. And a command requires urgent obligation and Timothy was expected to act upon it. In this context, the command which Paul gave was probably the same as that described in verse 3, “… instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines ….”

By way of reminder, Paul also brought several matters into Timothy’s focus to encourage him to battle on. He reiterated the prophecies that were spoken over him. He was told that the instruction given to him was consistent with those prophecies that he had received. When were those prophecies given to Timothy? 2 Timothy 1:6-7 seem to suggest that there was an ordination ceremony. It was likely that at that service, those prophetic words were uttered over him. And here Paul was reminding him of the significance and importance of that service and those prophecies, to urge him to courageously hold on to the rein and fight on.

Next, Timothy was challenged to continue to keep faith. What did Paul mean by “… to keep faith …”? There are two ways to look at this. It could mean “to keep on trusting” or “to hold on to the body of truth taught in the Gospel.” Both interpretations are acceptable. Furthermore, Timothy was also told to maintain good conscience. Conscience is the moral arbiter which God has placed inside man. It helps to indicate whether a decision is right or wrong. When educated by God’s Word and His Spirit, it would indicate to a person whether a certain behavioral pattern is God-approved or not.

Paul went on to tell Timothy that there were people who refused to keep faith and good conscience, and consequently, they suffered shipwreck in their faith. To substantiate his point, he illustrated with the lives of Hymenaeus and Alexander. Paul said that he personally handed them over to Satan, meaning they were put out of fellowship with the body of believers or excommunicated. The last phrase, “… so that they may be taught not to blaspheme”, suggests that when they had learned their lesson, their fellowship to the body of believers could be restored.

Faith and conscience – two key elements in the fight of our spiritual battle. Faith keeps us holding on. Rightly educated conscience keeps us discerning.  Let’s stay in the battle holding on to faith and keeping a good conscience. 

1 Timothy 1:12-17 – Grace in operation

In six verses, Paul gave a testimony of the impact that the Gospel of Christ had on his life. As he considered the grace which God had showered on him, he could not help but be overwhelmed by a sense of gratitude to God. So he let out a refrain of praise for God in verse 17.

In verse 12 Paul began by thanking Christ Jesus our Lord for strengthening him, and for considering him faithful to be put into service. Here Paul gave reasons why he was appreciative of Christ. He was reminiscing and recounting his past to Timothy. Paul was not only a blasphemer but also a persecutor and a violent aggressor toward believers of Christ. From the Book of Acts, we are acquainted with the degree of his violence. This, he said, he did out of ignorance and unbelief. Paul was not pleading innocence for his past actions. He was merely saying that he blindly followed his Jewish tradition. At that time, the revelation of the truth was not given to him yet. The apostle, in ignorant unbelief, thought that what he was doing then was the right thing. For being so malicious, he did not expect to be given any grace or hope. But God’s mercy overtook him and rewrote his life. The abounding grace of our Lord was abundantly showered upon him, and faith and love found in Christ resulted in his life. 

As he was abounding in gratitude, he cited one of the five trustworthy statements found in the epistle. These are statements of faith and probably a familiar creed. So in verse 15, he stated the first trustworthy statement that embodied the Gospel.  There are four elements to note: it is true and trustworthy; it is for everyone; it concerns Christ’s coming to save sinners; and it must be received personally and individually.

Verse 16 provides another reason for why mercy was showered on Paul. His conversion was to demonstrate the perfect patience of God. It would be a testimony that if Christ Jesus could accept and deal patiently with such a hardened opponent as Paul, He would surely deal with those who would believe in Him for eternal life. And with this, Paul burst out into an exuberant, spontaneous and involuntary praise for God. The praise that every believer would gladly echo, for truly, “… to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

When grace invades our life we cannot but give thanks like Paul. True, there is no problem too big God cannot solve; there is no person too small he cannot use; and there is no gift too little that God will not accept. Just give them all to Jesus and He will turn your sorrow into joy!

1 Timothy 1:8-11- The Law and its purpose

The Law is given with good intention and when properly applied, it yields positive result. So verse 8 suggests that there could be a right as well as a wrong way of using the Law. Paul’s assertion is that the Law was intended for the unrighteous and not for the righteous. To apply it on the righteous would be the wrong way of using the Law.

So based on the 10 commandments, he listed 14 things to illustrate the types of people who do need that law. The first three pairs: lawless and rebellious; ungodly and sinners; and unholy and profane, had broken the first half of the Decalogue. The next four pairs: the killers of mothers and fathers; murderers and immoral men; homosexuals and kidnappers; and liars and perjurers had broken the second half of the Decalogue.

The important question here is: how would a person be considered righteous? When that person has acknowledged Christ and believed in the justification He has provided through His works at Calvary, that person becomes righteous. To Paul, for such a person, the role of the Law would be past. He no longer relies on the Law for power to live the godly life. The power to live a godly life lies in the teachings found in the Gospel of Christ, the truth of which Paul was made a custodian. As a safeguard, all genuine teachings must be sound and based on the Gospel of the blessed God. It must also bear apostolic authority.

The Law acts as a signpost pointing out to us all the danger areas. But it has no power to help us navigate through those danger points. Besides, it’s the gospel, and not the law, that reveals the glory of God in its fullest. So as we appreciate the Law, we need to embrace the Gospel. For it is the power of God for salvation. And it is in the Gospel the righteousness of God is revealed.