Give Heed to Fables Part 2

March 10, 2023February 10, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Timothy 1:3-4 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou might charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

‘No other doctrine’ – No doctrine other than those of the gospel or of the New Testament (continues). The New Covenant however was also known as the second covenant (Heb. 8:7; 10:1-9); and the New Testament (3:6); came by Christ (Heb. 8:6; 9:15) and was started by Christ (Heb. 8:6; 10:9). It was thus also called the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2), the law of righteousness (Rom. 9:31), the law of the Spirit (Rom. 8:2), the law of faith (Rom. 3:27), the law of liberty (Jas. 1:25), and the law of grace (John 1:17) that saves from wrath (Rom. 5:9) and redeems (Gal. 3:13; Heb. 9:12-15). It brought life (Rom. 8:2; Gal. 3:1-29) and was the reality (Heb. 10:1-18); it makes free (Gal. 5:1; John 8:1-59), and is now in force (Heb. 8:6; 10:9). It gives righteousness (John 1:17; 3:16), makes perfect (Heb. 7:19), it is more glorious (2Cor. 3:8-10). Saves to the uttermost (Heb. 7:25), had one human sacrifice (Heb. 9:14-28; 10:12), that was ratified by the blood of Christ (Matt. 26:28) and forgets sins (Heb. 8:12; 10:17). It has an eternal priest through the tribe of Judah (Heb. 7:14, 17), from the order of Melchizedek (Heb. 5:5-10; 7:21) with eternal atonement (Heb. 10:14) and it is a sinless ministry (Heb. 7:26). It has a heavenly tabernacle (Heb. 8:2) a sinless mediator (1Tim. 2:5), offers an eternal inheritance (Heb.9:15). It does satisfy God (Heb. 10:15-18) had miracle power (Gal. 3:1-5; John 14:12) and its establishment was predicted (Heb. 8:7).

‘Fables’ [Greek: muthos] anything delivered by word of mouth; legendary tales, as opposed to historical account; a fable; foolish or improbable story (1Tim. 1:4; 4:7; 2Tim. 4:4; Tit. 1:14; 2Pet. 1:16).

‘Endless’ [Greek: aperantos] endless, boundless, infinite; something that cannot be passed through or settled.

‘Genealogies’ [Greek: genealogia] genealogy, a record of descent or lineage (1Tim. 1:4; Tit. 3:9). Among the heathen were endless tales of offspring of numberless gods. Jews and Samaritans took great pride in their ancestors (Matt. 3:9, John 4:12; 8:39). Paul warned against this (2Cor. 5:16; 11:22; Php. 3:4-6) and charged Timothy to be occupied with essentials of the Christian faith. Emphasis on natural descent is foreign to Christianity, for in Christ there is no difference (1Cor. 12:13; Col. 3:11).

‘Questions’ [Greek: zetesis] a searching after; investigation. Translated “question” (1Tim. 1:4; 6:4; John 3:25; Acts 25:20; 2Tim. 2:23; Tit. 3:9). Here it means disputing that causes strife, divisions, and parties.

‘Edifying’ [Greek: oikonomia] the dispensation of God which is in faith (Eph. 1:10).

Give Heed to Fables Part 1

March 9, 2023February 10, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ 1 Comment

‘As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went to Macedonia.’ Just when this happened is not clear. Some suppose that by this time Paul was liberated from prison, he went into Asia and then into Macedonia, leaving Timothy in Ephesus to carry out this charge.

‘Some that they teach’ – These were Judaizing teachers who were constantly seeking to bring Christians back under the law of Moses which is the same religion that crucified Christ and is still influencing most religions today in not believing in the gospel and Christ (1Tim. 1:3-4, 6-7).

‘No other doctrine’ – No doctrine other than those of the gospel or of the New Testament. Those in the law of Moses or the old covenant who are not brought into and made a part of the new covenant are not to be taught the gospel for they are scoffers (Prov. 9:7.9) and reject Christ’s salvation work (Gal. 1:6-16; 2:15-21; 3:1-29; 4:1-31).

The Old Covenant contrasts the New Covenant as follows: it is called the Old Testament (3:14) and the first covenant (Heb. 8:7; 9:1); it came by Moses (John 1:17) and is thus called the law of Moses (Acts 13:38-39), the law of works (Rom. 3:26-31) that works wrath (Rom. 4:15); the law of sin (Rom. 7:23; 8:2) the law of the flesh (Rom. 7:5-6); not of faith (Gal. 3:12); was the yoke of bondage (Gal. 5:1); ended by Christ (Rom. 10:4); it brought death (3:7); it made guilty (3:9) it was a shadow (Col. 2:14-17); it is fulfilled (Matt. 5:17-18); it demanded righteousness (Luke 10:28); made nothing perfect (Heb. 7:19) while it was glorious (3:7) it was powerless to save (Heb. 9:9; 10:4); many animal sacrifices where needed (Heb. 9:12-13); ratified by animal blood (Heb. 9:16-22); it was a sinful ministry (Heb. 5:1-4); had temporary priests (Heb. 7:23); the Aaronic priesthood and was of Levi (Heb. 7:11); yearly atonement that remembered sins (Heb. 10:3); had an earthly tabernacle (Heb. 9:2); a sinful mediator (Gal. 3:19); offered no inheritance (Rom. 4:13); it could not redeem (Heb. 10:4) nor satisfied (Isa. 1:13-14); it had no miracle power (Heb. 7:18) and its abolishment was predicted (Hos. 2:11).

To be continued…

Unto Timothy Part 3

March 8, 2023February 10, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Timothy 1:1-2 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

‘Which is our hope’ – Jesus Christ is the basis of our hope of all things. Eight Christian hopes: Salvation (Rom. 8:20-25; 15:4, 13; 1Thess. 5:8; 2Thess. 2:16; 1Pet. 1:1-25); Righteousness (Gal. 5:5); God’s calling (Eph. 1:18; 4:4); Eternal inheritance (Col. 1:5; Eph. 1:11-18; Heb. 9:15; 1Pet. 1:4); God’s glory (Rom. 5:1-5; Col. 1:27); Resurrection (Acts 23:6; 24:15; 1Thess. 4:13; Tit. 2:13; 1Jn. 3:3); Eternal life (1Cor. 13:13; 15:19; Eph. 2:12; Col. 1:23; Tit. 1:2; 3:7; Heb. 3:6; 6:11, 18, 19; 7:19; 1Pet. 1:3-13); Converts safe in heaven (1Thess. 2:19).

‘Timothy’ also called Timotheus. He was called Timothy (2Cor. 1:1; 1Tim. 1:2, 18; 6:20; 2Tim. 1:2; Phm. 1:1; Heb. 13:23). Converted by Paul on his first trip (Acts 14:6-7 with 1Tim. 1:2). Part Jew and Greek, uncircumcised, but a good Christian (Acts 16:1-3). A miracle worker like Paul (1Cor. 16:10). Paul’s companion from here on (Acts 16:1-3; 17:14-15; 18:5; 19:22; 20:4; Rom. 16:21; 1Cor. 4:17; Php. 2:19). On a mission (Heb. 13:23). It is believed by some that he was Paul’s scribe in writing Hebrews and Galatians. He had the gifts of the Spirit (1Tim. 4:14; 2Tim. 1:6). He was a great student of Scripture (2Tim. 1:5; 2:15; 3:15).

‘Own son in the faith.’ A son in the gospel (Acts 16:1-3; 1Tim. 1:2, 18; 2Tim. 1:2; 2:1).

‘Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.’ This salutation is peculiar to Timothy and Titus.

Unto Timothy Part 2

March 7, 2023February 10, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

‘Commandment’ [Greek: epitage] Translated as “commandment” (Rom. 16:26; 1Cor. 7:6, 25; 2Cor. 8:8; 1Tim. 1:1; Tit. 1:3) and “authority” (Tit. 2:15). The only place Paul says he is an apostle by the commandment of God. It could mean by appointment (cp. Tit. 1:3).

‘Saviour’ – God is called “Saviour” 19 times (1Tim. 1:1; 2:3; 4:10; Luke 1:47; Tit. 1:3; 2:10; 3:4; Jude 1:25; 2Sam. 22:3; Ps. 106:21; Isa. 43:3, 11; 45:15, 21; 49:26; 60:16; 63:8; Jer. 14:8; Hos. 13:4); Jesus Christ is called “Saviour” 16 times (Luke 2:11; John 4:42; Acts 5:31; 13:23; Eph. 5:23; Php. 3:20; 2Tim. 1:10; Tit. 1:4; 2:13; 3:6; 1Pet. 1:1, 11; 2:20; 3:2, 18; 1Jn. 4:14).

‘And Lord Jesus Christ’ – Another clear reference to two distinct persons of the three who make the Godhead (1Jn. 5:7). The only sense three can be one is in unity, as is clear in John 17:11, 21-23. See other scriptural uses of the word one (Gen. 2:24; 11:6; 1Cor. 3:6-8; 12:13; Eph. 2:14; Heb. 2:11). Three persons cannot be one person in number in any sense, but the three can be one in unity. There are three separate and distinct persons in the Godhead, each one having His own personal spirit body, personal soul, and personal spirit in the same sense each human being, angel, or any other being has his own body, soul, and spirit. The body, whether a spirit body [heavenly] or a flesh body [earthly], is the house for the indwelling of the personal soul and spirit. The soul is that which feels and the spirit is that which knows.

God has been seen physically by human eyes many times (Gen. 18:1-33; 19:24; 32:24-30; Ex. 24:11; 33:11-33; Jos. 5:13-15; Jdg. 6:11-23; 13:3-25; 1Chron. 21:16-17; Job 42:5; Isa. 6:1-13; Ezek. 1:26-28; 10:1, 20; 40:3; Dan. 7:9-14; 10:5-10; Acts 7:56-59; Rev. 4:2-5; 5:1, 5-7, 11-14; 6:16; 7:9-17; 19:4; 21:3-5; 22:4).

With over 20,000 references to God in Scripture we get to know all we need to know about the subject. If we will take the Bible literally as to what it says about Him, as we do with other things the subject will be very clear; but if we make God a mystery, ignoring the plain statements of Scripture about Him, and refusing to believe the many descriptions of God given by those who have seen one, two, and three separate persons called “God,” then we will remain in ignorance.

To be continued…

Unto Timothy Part 1

March 6, 2023February 10, 2023 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

This book was the first of the three pastoral epistles – 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy and Titus – to give instructions concerning Christian behaviour, doctrine, and discipline.

Written by Paul from Macedonia about 67 A.D (1:3). He wrote 14 epistles (Romans to Hebrews). This is the 54th book of the Bible with 6 chapters, 113 verses, 2,269 words, 1 question, 106 verses of history, 5 verses of fulfilled and 2 verses of unfulfilled prophecy.

‘Apostles’ [Greek: apostolos] a delegate, one sent with the full power of attorney to act in the place of another, the sender remaining behind to back up the one sent. In the case of Christians, it means God sends them to do what He, Himself would do if He went. It is found 81 times and translated as apostle 78 times; messenger twice (2Cor. 8:23; Php. 2:25); and once he that is sent (John 13:16).

There are only twenty-four apostles recorded because they were the ones either writing the New Testament events as inspired by the Holy Spirit or spreading the gospel amongst the congregations of believers who had no access to the written Word of God yet. Some of them turned away from Christianity even after they knew Jesus in person. They were: Simon Peter and his brother Andrew (Matt. 10:2), James, son of Zebedee and John his brother (Matt. 10:2), Philip and his brother Bartholomew (Matt. 10:3), James, son of Alphaeus and Judas his brother (Luke 6:16) and Matthew, son of Alphaeus, perhaps brother of James and Judas (Mark 2:14; Luke 6:15), and Thomas (Matt. 10:3). Simon Zelotes, brother of James and Judas, according to tradition (Luke 6:15), Judas Iscariot (Matt. 10:4), Matthias (Acts 1:26), Barnabas (1Cor. 9:5-6; Acts 13:1-3; 14:4, 14; Gal. 2:9), Andronicus (Rom. 16:7), Junia (Rom. 16:7), and Apollos (1Cor. 4:6-9). James, the Lord’s brother (Gal. 1:19; 2:6; Jas. 1:1), Silas (1Thess. 1:1; 2:6), Timothy (1Thess. 1:1; 2:6), Titus (2Cor. 8:23), Epaphroditus (Php. 2:25), Paul (Gal. 1:1; 2:8), and Jesus Christ (Heb. 3:1).

For lists of the twelve apostles see Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:14-16; Acts 1:13, 26. Their commission, duties, and power (Matt. 10:1-42; 28:19-20; Mark 3:14-15; 6:7-13; 16:15-20; Luke 9:1-5; 24:47-53; John 20:22-23; 21:15-19; Acts 1:4-8).

To be continued…