ntItimothy6

Caution to students of God's Word - Please remember two things when using our studies: #1. Our commentary is not God's Word. It is only our interpretation or understanding of "His Word" and even though we try our best to be accurate we may or may not be correct. #2. The King James translation, or any other translation, of the original Hebrew text has some words which were given different translations at different places probably because of the interpreters preconceived ideas of what they think God meant to say. For example: According to the notes in the "Drake's Annotated Reference Bible" the Hebrew word hayah in the KJV is Trans. (became) 67 times, (becamest or came to pass) 505 times, (become) 66 times, and (come to pass) 131 times, but for some reason in Genesis 1:2 it is translated (was)! That sure changes the way a person perceives the original creation of the earth, doesn't it? Gen. 1:2 And the earth was (became) without form, ... Having said that, let us continue with our "Key Knowledge" lessons. These are pamphlets containing knowledge, we believe, you must have to fully and accurately unlock and understand the Word of God.

John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:13-14
[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

This Bible Study was originally written by Roger Christopherson,
published at http://www.theseason.org/

Without the leading by the Holy Spirit, there is no understanding of the truths, for all the truth of the Scriptures are revealed to us by God's Spirit.

This sixth chapter continues in Paul's instructions to Timothy and it is basically common sense as to how to take care of the business affairs of the church. It is the simplicity of God's Word instructing not only that pastor but the congregation. In addition, it is faith in our Father to know that when we have done all that you can do, then He will take care of the rest. Though it is so simple, it is still yet difficult for many to grasp the power of faith.

I Timothy 6:1 "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."

This means that if you are a Christian and you are working for an unbeliever with a wage, If he pays you for a job, then do the work required for the wages paid. This is another form of witnessing to an unbeliever, and strengthens the reputation of other believers also. You can usually tell how much a Christian is by how well they work, and conduct themselves on the job and in the community. It is also considering the attitude that is taken while on the job and doing the work.

I Timothy 6:2 "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."

This verse now deals when your job is working under another Christian. When you are working for another Christian and you do your job well with much effort, it builds a bonding within the fellowship of the body of Christ. It not only boost your reputation, but increases your master's in the sight of the community and on the job. It protects your master's credibility and it causes others to look you and using you as a pattern for others to follow. It draws attention to Christ, and sets an example for others. Just as in the first verse, we are to present ourselves honest at all times. Paul is urging Timothy to teach this principle in the congregation and press on their minds the importance that this principle should be followed. In the end it causes others to want to become a Christian also.

I Timothy 6:3 "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;"

Paul takes a little jab here at false teachers. Paul is telling Timothy that if he sees a minister that teaches another message other than what I have told you, that promotes something other than being a diligent worker and giving an honest effort, and speaking truthfully, you are not listening to a person of God. If he promotes a welfare state, and slackness on the job, and showing disrespect for his superiors, whether they be of Christ or not, they are not of God. God does not like lazy people, and this has nothing against people that are handicapped, people that are retired and have paid their way through life, but this is talking about able bodied people that are fit to work but make a living off other people.

I Timothy 6:4 "He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife , railings, evil surmisings,"

The person that would do and teach those things are puffed up, and he has no knowledge of God's Word to know the difference. In as much as true wisdom come for our Father, he has no knowledge of our Father or His ways. This word "doting" means "sickly in a spiritual sense". Though he may call himself a Christian, he is actually sickly spiritually to the point that he just doesn't understand the mind of God, and what is expected of him. If he doesn't have the right spirit then it his spirit is sick.

If you are not taught the right way, as God's Word should be taught, chapter by chapter, and verse by verse, then you are ripe to become a know nothing, puffed up individual. Without the leading of the Spirit of God through His Word, these things such as envy, strife, railings [which is evil speaking and blasphemy against God], and surmising which is suspicions will enter into your conversation. Listen to the way that a person talks, and it doesn't take long to find out what is in the man's heart and mind. A person brands himself by the words that he uses and the way that he uses them.

When a minister doesn't make a stand against those things that God teaches against, he is not of God, but a hireling. Only he knows the reason for his desire to teach, for it is not of God. The Word of God as it is given from the manuscripts is the only way that God's Word should be taught. If strife follows you around, something is wrong. The The instructions within the Word of God doesn't bring strife, but peace of mind. If you are working in a place where there is nothing but strife, when you analyze the situation you may come up with the conclusion that you shouldn't be there in the first place, if it is an impossible situation. Good competition is not strife though, and it makes for a healthy environment in the work place.

I Timothy 6:5 "Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: for such withdraw thyself."

If you are working and living around those that are continually disputing of things that just don't matter, and taking every little thing and twisting it to where it is not the truth, you are in sad shape. This is what Satan likes to do, take something that is truthful and twist it to where it is nothing but a lie. If people don't know and refuse to listen to where wisdom comes from, there is not much that you can do to help them. This type of person relates everything to money, and they even relate money to being godly. Paul is saying that when these type of people are around them, "withdraw thyself" from them.

Now relate this to ministers and teachers of God's Word, for that is the purpose of this book, to instruct Timothy in his ministry. Paul is telling Timothy that if he sees someone that is preaching God's Word and teaching only for the money and other benefits that come with the office, they get away from that person. Withdraw thyself from him or her. If one turns himself into a beggar preaching God's Word, then that person doesn't have any business teaching God's Word. So if you consider your ministry by the amount of money and wealth that you can gain, then this is what happens to you.

Self-sufficiency is "contentment". The riches that you gain through teaching, if your goal is money, then it is very short lived. You will not be able to take your money and those worldly gains such as fame and wealth into God's kingdom. Self-sufficiency in godliness is doing God's Work is something that you can take with you into Christ's kingdom. It is part of your works and that is what goes to make up the garment that you will wear throughout all eternity.

Revelation 19:7 "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready."

Revelation 19:8 "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints."

Godliness brings contentment and contentment brings peace of mind. If your church does not have contentment and peace of mind, then you go to the Word of God and get instruction to find that peace of mind. Do what it says and clean up what is wrong, and then peace and contentment will come. This again is talking about ministries that have become beggars, that do what they do for money. When they tell you that their ministry is hinged on you and your money, and that is the focus of their time, it is a begging ministry.

I Timothy 6:7 "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out."

As we saw above, your good works are the only thing that follows you into eternity. In a sense you follow your works into heaven, for as you do your good works it is recorded and held for your coming. The very clothing you wear in the eternity is made up of the righteous act that you do here on earth, in this age of your flesh body. Your works are in the book as you do your righteousness. Also in the books in heaven are the judgments that go against false teachers, and those that take advantage financially of those they are teaching. Their name and deeds are there also.

Revelation 14:12 "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."

Revelation 14:13 "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, "Write, 'Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord form henceforeth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.' "

This flesh body and flesh life is a very short period of time out of all eternity. So one is very foolish when they plan their entire life structure around the wealth that they can gain for this life only. It is not long now until either your life is ended or the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ happens at the seventh trumpet, and then the only thing that matters is what is recorded in those books in heaven. Yes your good works will follow you, but also your bad works will be there to condemn you, if they have not been repented to the Father in Jesus name.

Paul is telling Timothy to be happy with what you have, and don't be anxious in anything. Make do with what you have and learn to adjust to it. God will always see to it hat you will have what you need to perform His ministry. We can apply this same principle to our family life also, but this is a doctrinal book written to advise Timothy on the running of a church successfully. After all, that is the subject of this book, the operation of the church, and the pastor that is responsible for it. God will provide the bricks and mortar, but He expects you to build the wall for the watchmen to stand on, and that is what you are doing if you are doing the work of God. .

I Timothy 6:9 "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."

Paul is saying that the desire to be wealthy may be more dangerous than wealth itself. This is because if you allow the desire to be wealthy to over-ride all other things, then you are going to forget those godly things, and you are not going to be paying attention to the thing that are required of you as a minister, or teacher of God's Word. When you are planning to gain wealth outside of what faith give and brings, it robs you of your eternal wealth. It is all a matter of what you do and how you do it. If your desire is in your own abilities to bring you wealth, then it is not in your faith in God, and you are not relying on God to provide for your needs. Remember that God takes care of His own. It is a matter of your priorities in life.

I Timothy 6:10 "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."

Money in itself is not evil, but the love or desire for money is the root cause that brings all evil. It is man's desire and his coveting of money that brings evil on himself. It is like the law of God, which is not evil, but the law shows the evil that is within man. The law is not harmful to the one that lives within the law. It is the law breaker that is in fear of the law. The law is good but the law breaker is bad. The money is good, the desire for money and the hoarding of the money is what is bad. I hope you see this simple analogy. Money that comes from doing things God's way is a blessing from God and you never have to apologize for that wealth. Having a lot of money is not where the sins of wealth comes from, but is is what is in your mind when you are obtaining the wealth, and to the purposes that the money is used. What matters is the frame of mind of the one going after the money, and not the money itself.

Luke 12:15 "And He said unto them, "Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."

If you are doing the Word of the Lord and focused on being a good servant for the Lord, He will bless your ministry. If you are operating a very large ministry, there is a lot of money involved. That kind of money is definitely not harmful, it is helpful for it is the blessings of God. When the quest for money deprives you of your close relationship with God, your studying His Word, your prayer life and your using the wisdom for God's Word, then it is wrong.

I Timothy 6:11 "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."

These six things are what builds character in a persons life, and they are the things you do when you please God. When you practice these things in your life they bring you not only blessings, but success in your personal life and your business. They will also bring you the money to provide for those needs in your life. However, you had better not use these things as the prime reason for the gaining of money, or you will fall on your face from the start. You see, God knows what is in your mind and all your intentions as you are thinking those thoughts.

When you practice these character building things in your life, your mind is not on the money or wealth that you gain but on helping God's children. That is more important than money can ever be, and that love that flows from the Holy Spirit, through you and to others is the most valuable and powerful thing in the world. Love can't be bought nor sold or traded, but it can be given freely. It is important to help others learn the truths of God's Word just as it is written.

I Timothy 6:12 "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."

Timothy was a minister to Gentiles as well as other people, and Paul is giving Timothy as set of ordinances to follow from God's Word.

I Timothy 6:13 "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;"

Christ remained silent when He was brought before Pontius Pilate, He didn't give any testimony in defense of Himself. He didn't even open His mouth other than saying "Thou sayest it". Faith was the witness, for Jesus knew that it was written in prophecy, exactly as it was taking place in reality.

Remember Isaiah 53:7; "He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth."

You can also go to many other passages of prophecy, such as Psalms 22, and see that every act, every word and deed that took place at the time of Jesus Christ's crucifixion was a witness and good profession to the entire world, of all generations, including our generation. Jesus faith created the silence, for He witnessed the truth of God's entire Word by keeping his silence.

The next question we should ask is, do I know what is written in His Word, do I know what God expects of me? When you follow the course that God's Word has laid out for us, that in itself is a good witness even though you don't say a word. It documents the faith that you have in God, just as the silence of Jesus before Pontius Pilate. Pilate wanted to let Jesus go, and he would have if Jesus would have just opened His mouth, and if He had, than Jesus would have broken the faith and the blood sacrifice would not have taken place. Salvation as we know it by faith, would have not come to pass, and God's entire Word would not have come to pass.

Remember that Pilate's wife had already told him of a dream that she had the night before, and he wanted to let Jesus go. Even after the act of sentencing and committing Jesus to death, he washed his hands of the whole thing, claiming that an innocent man was going to die. It was through that act that we are "quickeneth", or made alive spiritually through the blood of Christ. We are all sinners and do not deserve eternal life, but we can have eternal life because of the price that Christ paid.

I Timothy 6:14 "That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:"

You "keep this commandment without spot", each time you repent for the sins that you commit. Yes even after you are saved, those sins that are committed in your daily life must be repent to the Father in Jesus name. Then Christ marks those sins as perfect and without spot.

I Timothy 6:15 "Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;"

Jesus Christ is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, and He is coming back to set up and claim His kingdom a lot sooner then most people think. He is returning at the sound of the seventh trumpet, when all flesh shall be changed instantly into their spiritual bodies. It is in those bodies that we shall live in throughout the Millennium age. When Jesus comes again it is not as a humble baby and in the role of the servant, but He will come with a flame of fire in His eyes, a sword in his hands and with that sword, He will smite all the nations of the earth.

Revelation 19:11 "And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse; and He That sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war."

This is the "day of the Lord", and the One on the white horse is Jesus Christ. He is the One that is called Faithful and True, as we are witnessing here in I Timothy 6:13. The Lord Jesus will come here to make war on Satan and his world wide system.

Revelation 19:12 "His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself."

As Christ comes to earth, the burning in his eyes is fixed on one thing, and that is to bring righteousness to the earth and to bring vengeance and wrath on those who have ruled and cheated His people. The many crowns he wore are diadems, these are like turbans with many colors, or just pure white. They represent the King, and all His realm. Jesus Christ will set up His rule on this earth, and His kingdom in the Millennium age with cover all the peoples of the entire earth. The names and crowns are so vast they cover all humanity of all time.

Revelation 19:13 "And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God."

The blood that was on Jesus vesture was His blood from His death on the cross, and also the blood of the righteous saints who had shed their blood for the sake of Our Heavenly Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Remember this is the "day of vengeance", the day of wrath", and the seventh and final trumpet is after Satan has played his role as the Antichrist, and deceived the entire earth.

When we read John 1:1-5 we see that the name of Jesus is "The Word". "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

Revelation 19:14 "And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean."

Revelation 19:15 "And out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God."

The sword that goes forth is a sharp, two-edged sword, which will bring down all nations. This is the time that the new kingdom is set up on earth, and all evil is removed from the earth. Satan is cast into the pit, along with the false prophet, and the locust army of fallen angels.

You may play games with God's Word now, and play church and set up your religious forms, but that will soon end. The rule of this time after Christ's return will be a thousand year boot camp of learning and discipline. The teachers are His saints, and in you will be in your soul body and will understand all matters clearly.

Revelation 19:16 "And He hat on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."

There will be no doubt in the world by anyone that this is Jesus Christ returning. Most of the Christians will be deceived at Satan's return and leave to follow him in ignorance, but believer and unbeliever alike will know absolutely who Christ is. You will not have to be told who He is, or what He requires of you, for it will be written in your mind what is expected of you. At the close of this Millennium period comes the judgment and it is here that you will be judged by your works only.

If you are of the elect or have passed away prior to the coming of the Lord, and have not been deceived and taken Satan, you will already have been judged and received your pure garments and inheritance at the time. It is those souls that return with the Lord in their garments of fine linen.

I Timothy 6:16 "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 is reminding Timothy here of what he wrote in I Corinthians 15:50-52, that flesh and blood cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. Why? Flesh people simply cannot see into that dimension the kingdom of God. This is the mystery that Paul revealed to the church, and even to this day, it is a mystery to most Christians.

I Corinthians 15:50 "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption."

The "kingdom" of God is made up of Jesus Christ and His domain. At the sounding fo the last trumpet of the end times, of our generation, Jesus Christ will return to this earth and set up His Millennium kingdom. It will be a thousand year kingdom, and God is telling us through Paul that no flesh and blood can exist here on earth during that Millennium age kingdom where Jesus will rule.

I Corinthians 15:51 "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,"

A "mystery" is something that has been hidden, but once it is revealed, it is no longer a mystery. Paul is going to reveal something to us that was unknown prior to his time, and we had better pay attention especially in our generation. The time is coming shortly when all flesh will be done away with. The word "sleep" as given here, in the manuscripts reads, "die". The time is coming when every person living on the face of the earth will never die, but then they all, good and bad alike, will be changed faster than you can wink your eye.

I Corinthians 15:52 "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."

This identifies the exact moment that this changing from flesh bodies into spiritual or soul bodies will take place. It is at the last trump, the very last which is the seventh trump. It is after the sixth trumpet has sounded, and Satan has played the role of the false Christ, or Antichrist on earth. It is after the Satan has deceived all those Christians that were not prepared for him, and they were taken or deceived by Satan because of their belief in a rapture theory, that caused them to delete part of the Bible.

All of the prophecies concerning this age of the flesh will be over and have taken place, and it is time here for the King of Kings to return and set up His mighty kingdom right here on earth. Though all souls will be in their incorruptible bodies, only the elect, and those saints that have washed their sins in the blood of God, and have not been deceived to follow Satan, will have immortality to their souls.

"Immortality" means that the sting of death has been removed from their souls. "Mortal" means liable to die, and even though all souls will be incorruptible, only those faithful to the Lord to the end will receive immortality. It is Jesus Christ that gives us our immortality, and only to those dwelling in His light and are faithful to His Word. No human being has seen the beautiful resting place that the Father has prepared for us, especially in the immortality of our soul. We have overcome in this age of the flesh, and while living in our flesh bodies, that when you depart from the flesh, either by physical death, or at the seventh trumpet, you can see the wonderful things of that spiritual dimension.

The honor and power that we receive in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is everlasting, and does not hinge on some events of our changing time of this flesh age. Today the longest a person can use the power that he has is the time of his or her life span, and then it is only to the extent that other give to them. However the power that is in Christ's kingdom is eternal, and God give the power and He enforces the acceptance by others. We are living in a serious time, and life eternal that is accepted or rejected while in the flesh body is forever.

I Timothy 6:17 "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:"

This is Paul charging Timothy, and instructing him what he should pass on to his congregation. It is God that gives us richly all the blessings and good things that we receive and can enjoy. "Uncertain riches" are riches that come by "ill-gotten gains", by not being honest in all ways. It is gains that come by being a sloppy servant, by selling someone junk, and when you keep silent knowing that what you are selling is not worth what you are selling it for. Paul is telling us not to trust in them because God is going to pull the plug on those gains, and they will disappear like a hole in the bottom of a money bag. You are not going to have them for long, and they are a very short lived thing anyway.

If you haven't earned it, or paid for it, don't even desire it. If you haven't earned it yourself, you should even develop a desire to have it, because it takes on an entirely different value to you. That is the pride of ownership, to obtain something that rightfully belongs to you.

I Timothy 6:18 "That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;"

This means that the congregation is to be taught to do good works, and be sociable within the family, and to be willing to help other when it is needed. There is nothing wrong with riches, but just don't let it become the priority of your life. Your riches are secondary at best, for riches are nothing more than the blessings from God. Because it is the good works and your love of God that brings for that which is eternal, through the work in our Fathers ministry.

I Timothy 6:19 "Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

This is what Paul is telling Timothy to teach. Teach the people how to gain eternal life, it is that simple. Eternal life is the most valuable thing that any soul can posses. Lay the foundation from God's Word to give us contentment and peace of mind now, and it comes when we have faith and assurance within our own minds that can only come from God.

I Timothy 6:20 "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:"

This word "science" as it is used here is knowledge that is speculation. Today we call it vain philosophies, or theories. It means something that is not documented, but is assumed to be correct for the simple reason that someone has stated it, and it seams to be reasonable. Paul calls those that do this babblers. Babblings are confusion and an intelligent person know it. Our Father is not the author of confusion, and when things like evolution, the rapture theory and other fairy-tale thought is put forth that goes against God's Word, know it for what it is, confusion, and babblings by a babbler.

So the best advise to one placed in charge of a congregation or a family, is to keep that which God has committed to your trust, avoiding those profane and vain babblings. Those peddlers of fairy-tales were present were even present even at the time of Paul's writing. Teach your people to trust in the Word of God, and accept only those things that can be documented from the Word.

I Timothy 6:21 "Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen."

The book of First Timothy stops here. This is good advise from Paul to Timothy as he is going into the ministry, and it can be applied to any generation. The purpose for this letter is lay the ground for having contentment and peace not only for the pastor but for the entire congregation. These same rules apply at all times, and you can't go wrong when you follow these commandments.

To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals. We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.

doctrine of many of our Christian churches, (The Man on a White Horse)
political direction of our country, (The Man on a Red Horse)
economic direction our country has taken, (The Man on a Black Horse)
and teaching of our schools and media, (The Man on a Pale Horse)

The Four Hidden Dynasties of the New World Order Revelation 6:1-8
"The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse"
Did you know all four are being ridden by Satan?