First Timothy
First Timothy was taught by Dr. James Modlish

Lesson Six
(ADVICE TO TIMOTHY & OTHERS)

Introduction:

Chapter five deals with groups of people, namely the elderly, the widows and the leaders of the church. Chapter six continues on the theme of dealing with specific groups which are slaves, trouble makers, the rich, and the educated.
 

I . To Slaves (6:1-2)

Slavery was a vital part of ancient life; it is estimated that perhaps 25% of the population of Rome were slaves. Many slaves found Christ, but their masters would be unbelievers; and the Christian slaves might be prone to disobey or claim freedom in Christ. Paul urges them to be good testimonies to their lost masters that their masters might learn to respect the Name of God and the Word of God. Slaves who had believing masters would be tempted to take advantage of them, and this Paul prohibits. (See Eph. 6:5 and Col. 3:22).

II. To Troublemakers (6:3-5)

"Don't worry about doctrine," some modern preachers say; "the important thing is spiritual unity!" Paul refutes that lie in this section: whenever there is disunity in a church, it is because somebody does not believe and Practice the Word of God. Those who were teaching false doctrine, and who would not agree to Paul's teachings, were to be noted and dealt with.

The apostle clearly pictures these people who cause trouble in the church. They are proud; they want to be "important people" in the church. Yet they are ignorant, "knowing nothing"! Instead of feeding on the truths of God's Word, they feed on empty-questions and the meanings of words; and all of this leads to envies, strife, constant turmoil, and not godliness. These people are destitute of the truth; their only concern is personal profit. If they can use religion to further their own goals, then that is all that concerns them.

Note that (Titus 3:10) commands that a troublemaker ("heretic", meaning one who causes factions and divisions) is not to be permitted membership in the church after he has been warned two times. Troublemakers who move their church letters, then come back to cause more trouble, time after time, ought not to be received into the church membership after the second offense.

III. To The Rich (6:6-19)

The thought of "gain" in (vs. 5) leads Paul into a discussion of the Christian and wealth. Some have made the mistake of equating "gain" with godliness and the "blessings of God." This is not necessarily true. God chooses to bless some materially (Abraham, Job and others are extremely poor in the things of this world (Jesus, Paul, Peter).

Money has been a snare to more than one. A snare is a trap that is set to make you lose what you considered precious. Think what Lot lost when he set his eyes on the rich plane of Sodom. Or all that Haman lost (Book of Esther) when he set his heart on riches and honor. How about Ananias and Sapphira in (Acts 5)? What does a man need for contentment? Very little: food and raiment and a godly life.

Verse ten is a verse that is changed in all the new Bibles, and why not? Why would you want to pervert the Word of God with a watered down version that denies the deity of Christ if you weren't interested in making a buck by selling your new copy? Money itself is neutral; the way it is used, and the heart and motive behind it determine its character. Every one of the Ten Commandments can be broken for money. For money people have denied God, blasphemed His Name, stolen, lied, murdered, committed adultery, etc. etc., Why is booze a scourge of this nation - because the Kennedy family and others like them love money more than righteousness.

Paul then injects a warning to Timothy, because Christian leaders can be led by false values and material gain. Demos forsook Paul because he loved the world (2 Tim. 4:10); Judas sold Christ for 30 pieces of silver. Note that he calls this youthful pastor a "man of God"! What an encouragement! Note, too, the three exhortations: flee, follow, fight! Flee these things - pride, covetousness, false teachings. Sometimes the finest thing the Christian soldier can do is run. In (2 Tim. 2:22), Paul commands him to "Flee youthful lusts."

(vs. 17-19) form a positive instruction to the rich, telling them how to use their riches for God's glory. First these people must be humble, accepting their wealth as a stewardship from God. They should keep their eyes on the giver and not the gifts. Their primary motive in having money should be to give it away (vs. 18), because of the future reward (Matt. 6:19,20).

IV. To the educated

"Science" always has been an accumulation of knowledge, but sometimes it is false knowledge. Unfortunately even Christians sometimes prefer to listen to education above the Word of God! Stick with the Bible, let science and education catch up later.

 

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