1 Timothy Week 5 1 Timothy 2:5-6 “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.” (NASB)

Five Weeks of 1 Timothy • Week 1 – Introduction to Greco-Roman Culture, Paul and Timothy – 1 Tim 1:1-20 - Sound Doctrine

• Week 2 – How to Study the Bible – 1 Tim 2:1-3:13 – Prayer and Qualifications

• Week 3 – Ephesus, Creeds – 1 Tim 3:14-4:16 - Advice to Timothy

• Week 4 – Unfinished business – 1 Tim 5:1-25 – Instructions for the Church

• Week 5 – Slavery in the Roman Empire – 1 Tim 6:1-21 – Instructions for Ministry

Slavery in the Roman Empire • Slavery in the 1st century AD was not like slavery in the US – Not racially driven

• Slavery was extremely common – ~50% of the population of Rome was slaves – In many cities slaves outnumbered the free men

• Slaves – Conquered People – Some voluntarily became slaves • Unable to afford taxes • Unable to afford life

– Slaves were important property – Slaves could be bought and sold

• Slaves and masters had no association outside of the institution of slavery – Until the Church, the body of Christ, brought them together

1 Timothy 6:1-2 • Slaves of Any Master – Regard your masters as worthy of all honor (Eph 5:8; Col 3:22-24) • So that the name of God will not be spoken against • So that our doctrine will not be spoken against

• Slaves of Believing Masters – Be respectful as they are brothers in Christ – Serve them all the more (Luke 6:27-33) • Because they are believers and beloved

• Timothy is to teach these principles to the slaves – What is the goal?

• Note: There is no direction to the masters which typically follows the direction to slaves (Eph 6:9; Col 4:1)

1 Timothy 6:3-5 • A different doctrine (more warning of false teaching) – Matt 24:4-5, 11; Acts 20:29-30; Gal 1:6-9; Phil 3:2-3; Col 2:4, 8, 18, 20-23, 2 Thes 2:1-3; 1 Tim 1:3-7; 4:1-3; 2 Tim 3:1-8; 2 John 7-11; Jude 3-4

• Sound words – The words of Jesus Christ – The words of doctrine conforming to godliness • The Gospel

• Those who teach false doctrines – – – –

Conceited Understand nothing Morbid interest in controversial issues Disputes over words

1 Timothy 6:3-5 • Fruit of False Doctrine – – – – – – – –

Envy Strife Abusive language Evil suspicions Constant friction Depraved minds Deprivation of the truth Assumption that godliness brings gain • Greed • Financial gain • Prosperity Gospel

• Fruit of the Spirit – – – – – – – – – –

Gal 5:22-23 Love Joy Peace Forbearance Kindness Goodness Faithfulness Gentleness Self-control

1 Timothy 6:6-8 • Godliness is a means of great gain – Godliness does not give financial gain, it is gain itself when accompanied by contentment – Contentment • Literally “self sufficiency,” but this self sufficiency is due to the sufficiency of Christ (Phil 4;10-13) • Contentment does not rely on wealth or material circumstances

– v.7 Life is short and temporary, we brought nothing in, we take nothing out – v.8 Be content with simply having basic needs met • Food and covering

1 Timothy 6:9-10 • v.9 What awaits those who pursue riches? – Temptation – A snare – Foolish desires – Harmful desires – A plunge into ruin and destruction

• v.10 The love of money – A root of all sorts of evil – Longing for money • Can led you away from the faith • Can pierce you with many griefs

1 Timothy 6:11-12 • v. 11 Flee from these things man of God! • Pursue: – – – – – –

Righteousness Godliness Faith Love Perseverence Gentleness

• v.12 Fight the good fight of faith (1 Cor 9:24-27; 1 Tim 1:18) – Take hold of eternal life (2 Tim 4:6-8) – Good confession before many witnesses – baptism or ordination to ministry

1 Timothy 6:13• v.13 The Charge to Timothy – In the presence of God and Christ (1 Tim 5:21) – v.14 Keep the commandment until Christ returns • Broader than any single law, Paul is referring to the sound teaching of this entire letter • v.15 Christ will return at the proper time (Gal 4:4)

– v.15-16 Doxology – a confession of who God is • • • • • • • •

The only sovereign King of kings Lord of Lords Possessor of immortality Dwells in inapproachable light Whom no man has seen or can see Worthy of honor Eternal King

1 Timothy 6:17-19 • v. 17 The wealthy in this world • Direction for those who are already wealthy – Do not be conceited – Do not fix your hope on the uncertainty of riches – Fix your hope on God • God supplies us with things to enjoy

– – – –

v. 18 Do good and be rich in good works Be generous Be ready to share v.19 Store treasure for the future (eternity) • So you can take hold of life indeed (v.11)

1 Timothy 6:20-21 • Paul’s final plea – v. 20 Guard what has been entrusted to you • The Gospel • Sound teaching

– Avoid false knowledge • • • •

Worldly chatter Empty chatter Opposing arguments of the false knowledge v.21 Some have professed this knowledge and gone astray from the faith

• Grace be with you

Fall 2015 One down, sixty-five to go! We’ll pick up in the fall!