Teaching Notes 1 TIMOTHY 4 to 6

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Teaching Notes 1 TIMOTHY 4 to 6

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The first Quarantine in the USA since 1918 rages on.  I have completely lost count of the days at this point.  It is 23 or something.  I really do not know.  It has become much more confining in Georgia.  However, God is using this time to show me amazing miracles and His Amazing Grace.  And for that, I am very thankful.  We must learn to completely rely on him in good times and bad.  For all of the great strengths we rely on from day to day in the world come in one quick moment to be blown away like the grass.  

Today is Sunday and we have to meet by Zoom.

"The grass withers and the flower [fades],
but the word of [the Lord] endures forever.”  Isaiah 40:8."

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Paul saw that the Church at Ephesus was teaching false 
doctrine and thus Paul dispatched his pupil Timothy to 
the Church at Ephesus

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l TIMOTHY

Care of the Church at Ephesus

The Pastoral Epistles

Chapter 4. Coming Apostasy.   A Minister's Work

Apostasy, 1-5. This passage seems to say that, though the

Church is the pillar of the Truth, there shall arise within the

Church gross systems of error, of demoniacal origin, teaching

abstinence from meat foods and celibacy. This was

one of the forms of Gnosticism, even then developing, which

later grew to vast proportions: a heresy that» is now almost

extinct.

A Good Minister, 6-16;  The best way to combat incipient or

prevailing error is by unceasing reiteration of simple Gospel

truth. “Reading, exhortation, teaching", 13. The Bible itself will

do the job, if only given a chance.

Studying it in private, reading and expounding it in public.

If ministers today would only give heed to Paul’s advice,

the Church would take on new life, and

grow by leaps and bounds. Why, why, why; o why, cannot

ministers understand that the simple exposition of God’s Word

is more desired by the people. and more powerful by far, than

their finely worked out sermonic platitudes?

Chapter 5  Widows.  Elders

Widows, 1-16.  The church in Ephesus was something like ten

years old, and had its charity work very well developed and

carefully administered. A Christian who would not support his

own dependents is worse than an unbeliever. 8 The church in

extremely careful with its women servants, for the

women servants of the temple of Diana were prostitutes.

Elders, 17-25.  Called “bishops" in 3: 1-7.There it was their

 qualifications. Here it is their treatment. Then, as now busybodies

were whispering against their church leaders.

19. “Wine", 23:  it was “little” (wine), and for medicinal purposes.

Chapter 6. Slaves.  Riches

Slaves, 1-2. Compare I Cor 7:20-24. No great matter whether

slave or free. Become free if you can. But if not, be a good

slave. Slaves are thus frequently exhorted, Eph 6:5-9; Col 3:22-25;

Tit 2:9-10. Christianity abolished slavery, not by denouncing it.

but by teaching the doctrine of human brotherhood.

The Desire for Riches,  3-21, was the motive back of much

false teaching, 5. Through the ages church doctrines have been

corrupted to produce income for church coflers. “A root of all

kinds of evils", 10. “'the-root of all evil”. Man of God,

flee covetousness, 11; 'turn away from profane

babblings ‚of “scholarship” falsely so called.

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Overview of the Book of 1 Timothy 
From The Bible Project

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1 Timothy 4 New International Version (NIV)

4 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 

7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 

8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Footnotes:

1 Timothy 4:6 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.

Widows, Elders and Slaves

5 Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 5 The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. 6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. 8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, 10 and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

11 As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. 12 Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. 13 Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to. 14 So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. 15 Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.

16 If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.

17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”[a] and “The worker deserves his wages.”[b] 19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. 21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

24 The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 

25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.

Footnotes:

1 Timothy 5:18 Deut. 25:4

1 Timothy 5:18 Luke 10:7

1 Timothy 6 New International Version (NIV)

6 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare[a] of their slaves.

False Teachers and the Love of Money

These are the things you are to teach and insist on. 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 

7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 

9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Final Charge to Timothy

11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 

12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.

Grace be with you all.

Footnotes:

1 Timothy 6:2 Or and benefit from the service

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New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Some content adapted from Halley, Henry H., Bible Handbook, Grayson Publishing, Minneapolis, MN.  © 1927 - 1959, 1964

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Hugh C. Wood, Atlanta, Georgia

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Teaching Notes EPHESIANS 1

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Teaching Notes EPHESIANS 1

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EPHESIANS

The Unity of the Church 
Jews and Gentiles One in Christ 

Paul spent his life teaching Gentiles that they could be Chris- 
tians without becoming Jewish Proselytes. This was very displease
ing to Jews generally, for they thought of the Mosaic Law as 
binding upon all, and were bitterly prejudiced' against Uncir
cumcised Gentiles who presumed to call themselves disciples of 
the Jewish Messiah. 

While Paul taught Gentile Christians to stand like a rock for 
their Liberty in Christ, as he did in Galatians and Romans, yet 
did not want them to be Prejudiced against their Jewish 
the fellow-Christians, but to regard them as Brothers in Christ. 
Paul did not want to see Two Churches: A Jewish Church and 
a Gentile Church: but ONE CHURCH: Jews and Gentiles One in 
Christ. His gesture, in behalf of Unity, to Jewish elements in the 
Church, was the Great Offering of Money which he took from 
Gentile Churches, at the close of his Third Missionary Journey, 
to the Poor in the Mother-Church at Jerusalem. See Acts 21. 

His hope was that this demonstration of Christian Love might 
bring Jewish Christians to feel more kindly toward Gentiles. 
Paul's gesture, in behalf of Unity, to Gentile elements in the 
Church, was This Epistle, written to the leading center of his own 
Gentile Converts, exalting the ONENESS, UNIVERSALITY, and. 
UNSPEAKABLE GRANDEUR of the Body of Christ. 

To Paul, Christ was a Great Big Something, in Whom there is 
room, not only for people of different Races, Viewpoints and 
Prejudices, but He is One who has Power to solve all the prob
lems of mankind, and bring into unity and harmony with God 
all earthly Social and Family life, Eph. 5:22—6:29, and even 
the Myriads of Beings in ‚the Infinite Unseen Universe, 3:10. 

Ephesians is one of the four “Prison Letters”, written from Paul's 
Roman imprisonment, 61-63 AD, “the others being Philippians, 
 Colossians, Philemon”. Three of these were written at the same 
time, and carried by the same messengers, Eph. 6:21; Col 4:7-9; Pln 
10-12: Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon. 
There was another, not now extant, Col 4:16. 

Chapter 1. Spiritual Blessings 

“At Ephesus", Eph. 1, is not in some of the most ancient manu
scripts. It is thought that, probably, it was intended as a Circular 
Letter to the Asian Churches, Tychicus bearing a number of 
copies, with space for each city to insert its own name. This 
Would account for its lack of personal greetings. with which most 
of Paul’s Letters abound. 

Paul had spent three years in Ephesus, and had there many de- 
voted friends. But if this was a circular Letter to Ephesus and 
neighboring cities that would account for its "more formal tenor”. 

The Laodicean Letter, Col 4:16, possibly may have been one of 
the copies, [See, Lost Letter to the Laodiceans] [1]  God's Eternal 
Purpose, Eph. 3-14. A magnificent epitome to God’s 
plans: the redemption, adoption, forgiveness, and sealing of a 
people for God's own possession, determined from eternity, now 
being brought to pass through the effective exercise of God’s will. 

“Heavenly places", Eph. 3, is a key phrase of this book, 10,20; 2:6; 
3:10; 6:12. It means the unseen sphere above this world of sense, 
which is the Christian’s ultimate home, and with which we now, 
in a measure, have communication. 

Paul’s Prayer for Them, Eph. 16-23. That is the way Paul usually  
begins his Letters. Four such prayers are especially beautiful; This, 
and those in Eph. 3:14-19; Phil. 1:9-11; and Col 1:9-12. 
EPHESIANS

The Unity of the Church 
Jews and Gentiles One in Christ 

Paul spent his life teaching Gentiles that they could be Chris- 
tians without becoming Jewish Proselytes. This was very displease
ing to Jews generally, for they thought of the Mosaic Law as 
binding upon all, and were bitterly prejudiced' against Uncir
cumcised Gentiles who presumed to call themselves disciples of 
the Jewish Messiah. 

While Paul taught Gentile Christians to stand like a rock for 
their Liberty in Christ, as he did in Galatians and Romans, yet 
did not want them to be Prejudiced against their Jewish 
the fellow-Christians, but to regard them as Brothers in Christ. 
Paul did not want to see Two Churches: A Jewish Church and 
a Gentile Church: but ONE CHURCH: Jews and Gentiles One in 
Christ. His gesture, in behalf of Unity, to Jewish elements in the 
Church, was the Great Offering of Money which he took from 
Gentile Churches, at the close of his Third Missionary Journey, 
to the Poor in the Mother-Church at Jerusalem. See Acts 21. 

His hope was that this demonstration of Christian Love might 
bring Jewish Christians to feel more kindly toward Gentiles. 
Paul's gesture, in behalf of Unity, to Gentile elements in the 
Church, was This Epistle, written to the leading center of his own 
Gentile Converts, exalting the ONENESS, UNIVERSALITY, and. 
UNSPEAKABLE GRANDEUR of the Body of Christ. 

To Paul, Christ was a Great Big Something, in Whom there is 
room, not only for people of different Races, Viewpoints and 
Prejudices, but He is One who has Power to solve all the prob
lems of mankind, and bring into unity and harmony with God 
all earthly Social and Family life, Eph. 5:22—6:29, and even 
the Myriads of Beings in ‚the Infinite Unseen Universe, 3:10. 

Ephesians is one of the four “Prison Letters”, written from Paul's 
Roman imprisonment, 61-63 AD, “the others being Philippians, 
 Colossians, Philemon”. Three of these were written at the same 
time, and carried by the same messengers, Eph. 6:21; Col 4:7-9; Pln 
10-12: Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon. 
There was another, not now extant, Col 4:16. 

Chapter 1. Spiritual Blessings 

“At Ephesus", Eph. 1, is not in some of the most ancient manu
scripts. It is thought that, probably, it was intended as a Circular 
Letter to the Asian Churches, Tychicus bearing a number of 
copies, with space for each city to insert its own name. This 
Would account for its lack of personal greetings. with which most 
of Paul’s Letters abound. 

Paul had spent three years in Ephesus, and had there many de- 
voted friends. But if this was a circular Letter to Ephesus and 
neighboring cities that would account for its "more formal tenor”. 

The Laodicean Letter, Col 4:16, possibly may have been one of 
the copies, [See, Lost Letter to the Laodiceans] [1]  God's Eternal 
Purpose, Eph. 3-14. A magnificent epitome to God’s 
plans: the redemption, adoption, forgiveness, and sealing of a 
people for God's own possession, determined from eternity, now 
being brought to pass through the effective exercise of God’s will. 

“Heavenly places", Eph. 3, is a key phrase of this book, 10,20; 2:6; 
3:10; 6:12. It means the unseen sphere above this world of sense, 
which is the Christian’s ultimate home, and with which we now, 
in a measure, have communication. 

Paul’s Prayer for Them, Eph. 16-23. That is the way Paul usually  
begins his Letters. Four such prayers are especially beautiful; This, 
and those in Eph. 3:14-19; Phil. 1:9-11; and Col 1:9-12. 

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Ephesians 1 New International Version (NIV)

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To God’s holy people in Ephesus,[a] the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

11 In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Footnotes:

Ephesians 1:1 Some early manuscripts do not have in Ephesus.

Ephesians 1:5 Or sight in love. 5 He

Ephesians 1:5 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture.

Ephesians 1:9 Or us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he

Ephesians 1:11 Or were made heirs

Ephesians 1:17 Or a spirit

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[1] The Lost Letter to the Church at Laodicea

The Epistle to the Laodiceans is a lost (although witnessed in Codex Fuldensis) letter of Paul the Apostle, the original existence of which is inferred from an instruction to the congregation in Colossae to send their letter to the believing community in Laodicea, and likewise obtain a copy of the letter "from Laodicea" (Greek: ἐκ Λαοδικείας, ek Laodikeas).[1]

And when this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read before the church at Laodicea, and that you yourselves read the letter which will be forwarded from there.

— Colossians 4:16 OEB

Several ancient texts purporting to be the missing "Epistle to the Laodiceans" have been known to have existed, most of which are now lost. These were generally considered, both at the time[when?] and by modern scholarship, to be attempts to supply a forged copy of a lost document.[2] The exception is a Latin Epistola ad Laodicenses ("Epistle to the Laodiceans"),[3] which is actually a short compilation of verses from other Pauline epistles, principally Philippians, and on which scholarly opinion is divided as to whether it is the lost Marcionite forgery or alternatively an orthodox replacement of the Marcionite text. In either case it is generally considered a "clumsy forgery" and an attempt to seek to fill the "gap" suggested by Colossians 4:16.[4]

Some ancient sources, such as Hippolytus, and some modern scholars consider that the epistle "from Laodicea" was never a lost epistle, but simply Paul re-using one of his other letters (the most common candidate is the contemporary Epistle to the Ephesians), just as he asks for the copying and forwarding of the Letter to Colossians to Laodicea.

The Colossians 4:16 mention

Paul, the earliest known Jewish Messianic author, wrote several letters (or epistles) in Greek to various churches. Paul apparently dictated all his epistles through a secretary (or amanuensis), but wrote the final few paragraphs of each letter by his own hand.[5][6] Many survived and are included in the New Testament, but others are known to have been lost. The Epistle to the Colossians states "After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea."[7] The last words can be interpreted as "letter written to the Laodiceans", but also "letter written from Laodicea". The New American Standard Bible (NASB) translates this verse in the latter manner, and translations in other languages such as the Dutch Statenvertaling translate it likewise: "When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter (that is coming) from Laodicea."[8][9] Those who read here "letter written to the Laodiceans" presume that, at the time that the Epistle to the Colossians was written, Paul also had written an epistle to the community of believers in Laodicea.   Wikipedia.

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New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Some content adapted from Halley, Henry H., Bible Handbook, Grayson Publishing, Minneapolis, MN.  © 1927 - 1959, 1964

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Hugh C. Wood, Atlanta, Georgia


END