The Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy 1 (7)

Pray 116.12-14.
What shall I render to the LORD
Forall His benefits toward me?
I will take up the cup of salvation,
And call upon the name of the LORD.
I will pay my vows to the LORD
Now in the presence of all His people.

Review 1 Timothy 1.

Reflect.
1. Paul, Timothy, and you and I are all “charged”. With what?

2. How did Paul understand the nature of true teaching and learning?

Meditate.
Paul’s overarching concern in this first epistle to Timothy is that the sound doctrine he taught while in Ephesus should be kept pure by all the teachers there. Since Timothy had the oversight of all the churches in Ephesus, it was his job to help make sure that only sound doctrine was being taught, and that no one was using the teaching office for personal whim or advantage, but only to edify the believers in love.

Love is the true measure of both teaching and learning. If we have heard God speaking in His Word, then we have seen Jesus, and we understand the requirements of love as these come to us through Him. We teach others because we love them, and we teach them so that they will love God, one another, and their neighbors. True teaching, teaching that derives from and aims at love, knows how to engage the mind, the heart, and the conscience, so that true learning (“sincere” or “unhypocritical” faith) brings forth love in those who hear us.

We must not misuse the Law, either by making it an oppressive yoke, or by flaunting our knowledge of it, to impress others and achieve some recognition for ourselves. All teaching and learning are for the glory of God and the praise of Jesus Christ. Any teaching or learning that falls short of this has not fulfilled the expectations of the apostle Paul or our eternal King.

True teaching and learning issues in sinners transformed for the glory of God, who live in the “faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (v. 14). All our reading and study of Scripture must aim at this, so that faith working by love shows the transforming presence of Jesus throughout our soul and into our Personal Mission Field.

Reflect.
1. How can we use the Law of God lawfully, so as to promote love for God and neighbors?

2. How did the Word of God work in Paul’s life? Since his experience is a “pattern” for us, what should we expect in our own lives?

3. How would you explain the “charge” which God has “commanded” you?

Faith, hope and charity, those three virtues for whose building up is mounted all the scaffolding of the Bible, are only in the soul that believes what it does not yet see, and hopes and loves what it believes. Augustine (354-430), On the Trinity 8.4.6

Increase my love for Your Word, O Lord, and enrich my time in it, so that I…

Pray Psalm 116.
Use this psalm to praise God for His saving mercy, and to renew your commitment to obey and serve Him in your Personal Mission Field.

Sing Psalm 116.
Psalm 116.1-19 (Mit Freuden Zart: All Praise to God Who Reigns Above)
I love the Lord because He hears my cries and pleas for mercy.
Because He bends to me His ears, my prayers shall ever thus be.
The snares of death encompassed me; hell’s grip could not unloosened be;
distress and anguish pressed me.

I called to God, “O Lord, I pray, my soul redeem with favor!”
The Lord is gracious in His way, and righteous is our Savior.
His mercy to the simple flies; He lifted me up to the skies –
I rest in Him forever!

Full well the Lord has dealt with me; my soul from death He delivered.
My weeping eyes, my stumbling feet, He has redeemed forever.
Forever I before His face shall walk with those who know His grace,
and dwell with them forever.

Afflicted, I believe His Word, though lying men would undo me.
What shall I render to the Lord for all His blessings to me?
Salvation’s cup I lift above and call upon the God of love
and pay my vows most truly.

How sweet to God when saints depart – save me, Your servant, Savior!
From sin You loosed my wand’ring heart; I praise Your Name forever!
On You I call, my vows to pay; here in Your presence I would stay,
Your praise to offer ever.

T. M. Moore

The lessons in this week’s study of the Pastoral Epistles, and all the studies in this series, are available as a free download by clicking here.

Whatever our calling in life, we are sent to bring the joy of Christ to the people around us. Our book, Joy to Your World!, can show you how to fill your Personal Mission Field with more of the Presence, promise, and power of Christ and His Kingdom. Order your copy, as a supplement to our study of 1 Timothy, by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).