This post will focus on the final section of 1 Timothy 6:11-21. This focuses on Paul’s presentation of the material by giving a brief summary of the sections and provides brief concluding thoughts on 1 Timothy’s overall contribution to the Bible (section limited due to requirements, not exhaustive by any means).
For whatever reason, WordPress does not like the formatting of the original document I produced. I have tried to correct it as much as possible, however, I see the spacing is off between the bullet points.
Presentation Continued
VI. The Final Charge to Timothy (6:11-21)
A. Fight the Good Fight of Faith (6:11-16)
Paul calls Timothy a “man of God” and stirs him to remain faithful pursuing the things of God and not the things these false teachers have pursued. Timothy is to strive for that which is right, good, and holy, such as “righteousness, godliness, love, steadfastness, and gentleness” (6:11). Paul gives the analogy of a fight, and tells young Timothy to keep fighting “the good fight of faith” (6:12). Paul orders Timothy to take hold of the eternal life which he was called by God when he publicly confessed his belief before the “many witnesses” (6:12). Paul charges Timothy in the presence of God, who sustains and gives life to all things, and in the presence of Christ Jesus to remain faithful and above reproach until Jesus Christ comes. While we do not know when Christ will come, Paul says that it will be at the proper time, and praises God in describing various qualities of the Triune God.
B. Instructions for the Wealthy (6:17-19)
Timothy is given instructions by Paul to teach the rich to be humble and not prideful in their riches. Their hope should not be set on uncertain riches, but on God, “who richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (6:17). Paul does not want the rich to get the wrong impression from his earlier statement about money (6:10) by saying it is not wrong to be wealthy, but to be rich in good deeds and use that wealth to help those in need and be generous. In doing so, they will be laying up treasures in heaven for the future life which is true life.
C. Guard what has been Entrusted (6:20-21)
The epistle closes with one more reminder to Timothy to guard what has been entrusted to him, which is the gospel in his life and in the lives of the Ephesians. Paul says that those who have sought this false knowledge, were more concerned with godless chatter and contradictions than real faith and have thus strayed from true faith. Paul concludes by praying for grace, including all that is good, for Timothy and all who are in Ephesus who hear this letter.
Canonical Contribution and Summary
The key passages in 1 Timothy focus on godliness dealing with the conduct of those within the church, the leadership of the church and the ungodly false teachers outside the church. In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, Paul urges Timothy to be on guard against the false teachers and false doctrine providing instructions to defend the church from their evil ways. First Timothy is the first of Paul’s Pastoral Epistles where in this case, Paul goes to great lengths to provide Timothy with guidelines for qualified church leaders, the role of women in the church, and the appropriate rebuke of sin for those in leadership. Paul, however, devotes time and space to instruct the people in the church on right conduct, public worship, true salvation, and the role of the wealthy. In this personal letter, Paul urges Timothy to use the spiritual gifts he has been given, “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim 6:12), stand strong in the true gospel, and pursue godliness instead of the greed and babbling of the false teachers.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Brannan, R. “Timothy, First Letter to.” In The Lexham Bible Dictionary, edited by J. D. Barry, et al., section T. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014.
Constable, Thomas. “Dr. Constable’s Notes on 1 Timothy.” Soniclight. 2015. Accessed July 15, 2015. http://www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/pdf/1timothy.pdf.
Earle, Ralph. “1 Timothy.” In The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians-Philemon, edited by Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 11, 339-390. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978.
Fee, Gordon D. 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1989.
Henry, Matthew. “Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: 1 Timothy.” Biblehub. 1706. Accessed July 18, 2015. http://biblehub.com/commentaries/mhc/1_timothy/4.htm.
Lewis, Robert M. “The ‘Women’ of 1 Timothy 3:11.” Bibliotheca Sacra 136 (1979): 167-170.
Litfin, A. D. “1 Timothy.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2, 726–748. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1985.
Malick, David. “An Argument of the Book of 1 Timothy.” Bible.Org. 2014. Accessed July 17, 2015. https://bible.org/article/argument-book-1-timothy.
Swindoll, Chuck. “1 Timothy.” Insight for Living. Accessed July 15, 2015. http://www.insight.org/resources/bible/first-timothy.html.
Wallace, Daniel B. “1 Timothy: Introduction, Argument, Outline.” Bible.Org. 2004. Accessed July 14, 2015. https://bible.org/seriespage/15-1-timothy-introduction-argument-outline