Paul Urges Timothy to Guard 'The Faith'
1 Timothy 6:20-21 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. KJV
In closing this first letter to Brother Timothy, the Apostle Paul now sums up all the commands and exhortations that he has transmitted to Timothy by urging him with these very powerful words, "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:" (1 Timothy 6:20) (KJV). Paul has urged Timothy to wage war (1 Timothy 1:18) against the devil and his principalities and powers working in and through the human instruments to denigrate, defame, and disparage the Gospel of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ. Now as he closes this first letter to Timothy (not knowing for certain that he would even have an opportunity to write to him again) he exhorts Timothy with these words, 'keep that which is committed to thy trust', and the little English word 'keep' that begins this phrase is translated by the Greek word phulassō which means (as it is used by Paul here) to watch, that is, be on guard (literally or figuratively); it is the aorist tense expressing action that is needed now and urgency in that action, also by implication to preserve past action) without indicating its completion or continuation. The human family uses lots of manpower to guard the places, people, and property that is very valuable and important, therefore, how much more diligent should we believers be while here sojourning on the earth to guard and protect 'the faith' which was handed down to us by the Apostles received from our Lord Jesus Christ personally, just as Paul had also exhorted the Church @ Thessalonica to do likewise with these words written to them, "So then, brethren, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions {and} instructions which you were taught by us, whether by our word of mouth or by letter." (2 Thessalonians 2:15) (Amplified Bible).
The somewhat lengthy phrase 'that which is committed to thy trust' is translated by one somewhat lengthy Greek word parakatathēkē (used only one other time in the New Testament) meaning something put down alongside, that is, a deposit (sacred trust): - that (thing) which is committed (unto trust). The Gospel of Christ is sacred, for it is the only way any human sinner can be forgiven of sin and reconciled to God the Father, there is no other way (John 14:6), therefore, 'the faith' that is given by our Lord Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit when a human sinner hears and believes the Gospel is likewise sacred and never to be compromised. Timothy then and we true believers today and of every era and generation must hold the Gospel of Christ as such a sacred deposit to mankind and guard it within our inner man and inner woman, then communicate it to others that they might be reconciled to God the Father through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say about Timothy guarding what was committed to his trust, "That is, the Gospel, see 1 Timothy 1:11 which is a rich treasure put into earthen vessels, and ought to be kept pure and uncorrupt, and faithfully dispensed, and diligently preserved, that so it may be continued genuine and sincere, and not be either adulterated and depraved, or be taken away by false teachers. And it may also include his gifts for the ministration of it, which were to be kept in use, and stirred up, and not neglected, but cultivated and improved to the advantage of the Church, and of the interest of Christ."
When Paul writes 'avoiding profane and vain babblings', he means controversies produced by teachings that were in opposition to faith alone in Christ Jesus and promoted works of the old Mosaic law or of any kind. The English word 'avoiding' is translated by the Greek word ektrepō meaning to deflect, that is, turn away (literally or figuratively): - avoid, turn (aside, out of the way). The English word 'profane' is translated by the Greek word bebēlos meaning (as used here) that is, (by implication of Jewish notions) heathenish, wicked: - profane (person). The little English phrase 'vain babblings' is translated by the Greek word kenophōnia (used only one other time in the New Testament) meaning empty sounding, that is, fruitless discussion: - vain. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say about such profane vain empty babblings, "About the law, and circumcision, and other things, which the false teachers insisted much on, and amused their hearers with; and which were vain, empty, useless, and unprofitable talk. Some copies, and so the Vulgate Latin version, read, 'profane newnesses of words'; or new words, which ought not to be introduced, for they often bring in new doctrines: the form of sound words, the wholesome words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, the words which the Holy Ghost teacheth, should be held fast; and especially all new words should be avoided, which are contrary to them, or in the least weaken them, or detract from them."
When Paul writes 'and oppositions of science falsely so called', he means the great swelling words written by many of the Greek philosophers in that day and before that day, from men like Plato, Aristotle (who learned under Plato and taught Alexander the Great and we know how it ended badly for him). The English word 'oppositions' is translated by the Greek word antithesis (also our English word) (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning opposition, that is, a conflict (of theories): - exact opposite. The English word 'science' is translated by the Greek word gnōsis meaning knowing (the act), that is, (by implication) knowledge: - knowledge, science. The little English phrase 'falsely so called' is translated by the Greek word pseudōnumos (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning untruly named: - falsely so called. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning science falsely so called, "The false teachers boasted of their science and knowledge, but it was not true, solid, spiritual, and saving; it was not an experimental knowledge of the Gospel; it was not the excellent knowledge of Christ, which has eternal life connected with it; it was merely notional and speculative; it was idle, empty, and useless, mere Pagan philosophy, and vain deceit, upon which they formed antitheses, or oppositions and objections to the truths of the Gospel; and even opposed themselves, and the Word of God, as well as the faithful ministers of it. (Knowledge is not determined by a 'show of hands'. Even though the majority of people believe something, that does not make it true. The majority today do not believe in Noah's flood, 2 Peter 3:4. It was so in Noah's day also, but the unbelievers all drowned! Many fervently believe in evolution and try to compromise the Scriptures with it. This verse stands as a stark warning to those who do not try everything through God's Word. Isaiah 8:20."
Paul warns Timothy of some in that day who had professed to believe in God by believing the Gospel of Christ, yet they were pretenders, that is, people who professed beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives, so Paul declares this to Brother Timothy with these words, "Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen." (1 Timothy 6:21) (KJV). The English word 'professing' is translated by the Greek word epaggellō which means to announce upon (reflexively), that is, (by implication) to engage to do something, to assert something respecting oneself. The little English phrase 'have erred' is translated by the Greek word astocheō meaning (as used here) (figuratively) deviate from truth: - err, swerve. In other words, some that had announced, asserted, and advertised their faith in Jesus Christ were proven to be liars, for instead their deviation from 'the faith' proved their salvation never happened, because those of us who have been truly redeemed, regenerated, and resurrected by the 'Blood of the Lamb' (Revelation 7:14 & Revelation 12:11) hold fast, firm, and forever to the truth of the Gospel and to the truth of the Word of God. Note: "Some of those pretenders today can be found in great cathedrals/churches, even preaching from the pulpit of such places, yet they don't believe in the Bodily Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the grave and they don't believe that He (Christ) was born of a virgin woman and they don't believe in the inerrancy of the Word of God and many other things they believe not as is recorded for us in the Word of God, yet they profess to be Christians! Please, hell is right now at this very moment filled with souls who professed to be a Christian on the earth, yet they never truly believed unto salvation as declared by Paul in Romans 10:9-10." Paul concludes this first letter to Timothy by imparting to him a blessing of the Lord Jesus Christ 'grace' unto him and this English word is translated by the Greek word charis meaning (as used here) the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude).
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
I am a Christian Writer of non-fiction primarily and a little fiction. My purpose for forming this site is to Edify Christians with my writing and reach the lost with the uncompromising Gospel of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 72
Paul Gives Timothy a Message to the Rich in the Church Part 2
1 Timothy 6:18-19 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. KJV
Instead of and in contrast to those in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ trusting in the temporary things of this decaying, dying, and doomed world, the redeemed, regenerated, and resurrected child of the living God should use those things placed under his or her stewardship to do good with as Paul now instructs Timothy to instruct the rich men and women in Christ Church to do with these words, "That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;" (1 Timothy 6:18) (KJV). This little English phrase that begins this verse 'That they do good' is translated by the Greek word agathoergeō (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) which means to work good: - do good. It is the desire of our Lord Jesus Christ that we do good to all men (even those who hate us and use and abuse us) Note: "I find myself being tested in this area right now dealing with a lying tenant trying to con me for a whole months rent. Do I evict or not evict knowing that the person never has paid me any rent for the time in question? Sadly, if the lie is continued to be perpetrated, I will have no other choice but to evict." However, our primary requirement from our Lord Jesus Christ is to do good to our brothers and sisters 'in Christ' just as this same Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatian believers with these words, "And let us not lose heart {and} grow weary {and} faint in acting nobly {and} doing right, for in due time {and} at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen {and} relax our courage {and} faint. So then, as occasion {and} opportunity open up to us, let us do good [morally] to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God's family with you, the believers]." (Galatians 6:9-10) (Amplified Bible).
When Paul writes, 'that they be rich in good works', that is, bountiful and plenteous in valuable and morally excellent deeds. He means that to be inferred toward God the Father who has placed every rich man or woman steward over His things and so He desires that each one would use some of the Lord's treasures for His earthly work in bringing lost sinners to a saving knowledge and faith in Christ Jesus our Lord. Being 'rich in good works' for all we believers means that then we are 'rich in faith' trusting in our Lord Jesus Christ alone to keep His Word to us in supplying all our needs and this must be our aim and desire because of Christ Great love which He has shown to us redeemed sinners just as this same Apostle Paul wrote to Brother Titus to remind him of this same fact with these words, "He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity {and} mercy, by [the] cleansing [bath] of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit, Which He poured out [so] richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. [And He did it in order] that we might be justified by His grace (by His favor, wholly undeserved), [that we might be acknowledged and counted as conformed to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action], and that we might become heirs of eternal life according to [our] hope. This message is most trustworthy, and concerning these things I want you to insist steadfastly, so that those who have believed in (trusted in, relied on) God may be careful to apply themselves to honorable occupations {and} to doing good, for such things are [not only] excellent {and} right [in themselves], but [they are] good {and} profitable for the people." (Titus 3:5-8) (Amplified Bible).
The little English phrase 'ready to distribute' is translated by the Greek word eumetadotos (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning good at imparting, that is, liberal: - ready to distribute. The little English phrase 'willing to communicate' is translated by the Greek word koinōnikos (also used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning communicative, that is, (pecuniarily) liberal: - willing to communicate. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning this, "That they give nothing through partiality or favor, but be guided in their distribution by the necessities of the objects presented to them; and that they confine not their charity at home, but scatter it abroad." Paul knew that in doing these things the believer would be depositing for himself or herself a treasure chest in heaven (not of material wealth), but of the eternal wealth that cannot be monetized and that would be the soul of another human being, so he writes these words to Timothy, "Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." (1 Timothy 6:19) (KJV). The little English phrase 'Laying up in store' that begins this verse is translated by the Greek word apothēsaurizō (another word used one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning to treasure away: - lay up in store. In other words the believer is participating in a lay away plan that far exceeds the ones offered by the earthly department stores here on the earth, for those things will decay and be destroyed one day, but the spiritual treasures layed away in heaven for the believer will not fade away, but will be the source of providing resources for one of our Lord Jesus' servants to declare the Gospel on radio or the internet or in a Church service or on TV or in any other method of taking this message of 'be ye reconciled to God' (2 Corinthians 5:20) to lost souls and knowing when we are in heaven that some of these souls there are there because of our gift to get out the Word of God to all nations (Matthew 28:18-20).
Our Lord Jesus told us of the great unmeasurable value of a person's soul with these words, "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life/soul [in the eternal kingdom of God]? For what can a man give as an exchange (a compensation, a ransom, in return) for his [blessed] life/soul [in the eternal kingdom of God]?" (Mark 8:36-37) (Amplified Bible). In these very two verses, our Lord Jesus Christ is saying that a man or woman's soul is more valuable to Him than the whole earth and everything in it that He created and that there is nothing any lost sinner could give from their earthly riches or treasure that could be valuable enough to exchange it for their soul and entrance into heaven, Wow! You want to be rich? Trust Jesus Christ and be born again into His eternal heavenly family, this is true riches, remember these penetrating words of our Lord Jesus Christ reminding humanity again of this truth/this reality, "He who is faithful in a very little [thing] is faithful also in much, and he who is dishonest {and} unjust in a very little [thing] is dishonest {and} unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the [case of] unrighteous mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions), who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not proved faithful in that which belongs to another [whether God or man], who will give you that which is your own [that is, the true riches]? No servant is able to serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by {and} be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (riches, or anything in which you trust and on which you rely)." (Luke 16:10-13) (Amplified Bible).
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
1 Timothy 6:18-19 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. KJV
Instead of and in contrast to those in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ trusting in the temporary things of this decaying, dying, and doomed world, the redeemed, regenerated, and resurrected child of the living God should use those things placed under his or her stewardship to do good with as Paul now instructs Timothy to instruct the rich men and women in Christ Church to do with these words, "That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;" (1 Timothy 6:18) (KJV). This little English phrase that begins this verse 'That they do good' is translated by the Greek word agathoergeō (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) which means to work good: - do good. It is the desire of our Lord Jesus Christ that we do good to all men (even those who hate us and use and abuse us) Note: "I find myself being tested in this area right now dealing with a lying tenant trying to con me for a whole months rent. Do I evict or not evict knowing that the person never has paid me any rent for the time in question? Sadly, if the lie is continued to be perpetrated, I will have no other choice but to evict." However, our primary requirement from our Lord Jesus Christ is to do good to our brothers and sisters 'in Christ' just as this same Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatian believers with these words, "And let us not lose heart {and} grow weary {and} faint in acting nobly {and} doing right, for in due time {and} at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen {and} relax our courage {and} faint. So then, as occasion {and} opportunity open up to us, let us do good [morally] to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God's family with you, the believers]." (Galatians 6:9-10) (Amplified Bible).
When Paul writes, 'that they be rich in good works', that is, bountiful and plenteous in valuable and morally excellent deeds. He means that to be inferred toward God the Father who has placed every rich man or woman steward over His things and so He desires that each one would use some of the Lord's treasures for His earthly work in bringing lost sinners to a saving knowledge and faith in Christ Jesus our Lord. Being 'rich in good works' for all we believers means that then we are 'rich in faith' trusting in our Lord Jesus Christ alone to keep His Word to us in supplying all our needs and this must be our aim and desire because of Christ Great love which He has shown to us redeemed sinners just as this same Apostle Paul wrote to Brother Titus to remind him of this same fact with these words, "He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity {and} mercy, by [the] cleansing [bath] of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit, Which He poured out [so] richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. [And He did it in order] that we might be justified by His grace (by His favor, wholly undeserved), [that we might be acknowledged and counted as conformed to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action], and that we might become heirs of eternal life according to [our] hope. This message is most trustworthy, and concerning these things I want you to insist steadfastly, so that those who have believed in (trusted in, relied on) God may be careful to apply themselves to honorable occupations {and} to doing good, for such things are [not only] excellent {and} right [in themselves], but [they are] good {and} profitable for the people." (Titus 3:5-8) (Amplified Bible).
The little English phrase 'ready to distribute' is translated by the Greek word eumetadotos (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning good at imparting, that is, liberal: - ready to distribute. The little English phrase 'willing to communicate' is translated by the Greek word koinōnikos (also used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning communicative, that is, (pecuniarily) liberal: - willing to communicate. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning this, "That they give nothing through partiality or favor, but be guided in their distribution by the necessities of the objects presented to them; and that they confine not their charity at home, but scatter it abroad." Paul knew that in doing these things the believer would be depositing for himself or herself a treasure chest in heaven (not of material wealth), but of the eternal wealth that cannot be monetized and that would be the soul of another human being, so he writes these words to Timothy, "Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." (1 Timothy 6:19) (KJV). The little English phrase 'Laying up in store' that begins this verse is translated by the Greek word apothēsaurizō (another word used one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning to treasure away: - lay up in store. In other words the believer is participating in a lay away plan that far exceeds the ones offered by the earthly department stores here on the earth, for those things will decay and be destroyed one day, but the spiritual treasures layed away in heaven for the believer will not fade away, but will be the source of providing resources for one of our Lord Jesus' servants to declare the Gospel on radio or the internet or in a Church service or on TV or in any other method of taking this message of 'be ye reconciled to God' (2 Corinthians 5:20) to lost souls and knowing when we are in heaven that some of these souls there are there because of our gift to get out the Word of God to all nations (Matthew 28:18-20).
Our Lord Jesus told us of the great unmeasurable value of a person's soul with these words, "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life/soul [in the eternal kingdom of God]? For what can a man give as an exchange (a compensation, a ransom, in return) for his [blessed] life/soul [in the eternal kingdom of God]?" (Mark 8:36-37) (Amplified Bible). In these very two verses, our Lord Jesus Christ is saying that a man or woman's soul is more valuable to Him than the whole earth and everything in it that He created and that there is nothing any lost sinner could give from their earthly riches or treasure that could be valuable enough to exchange it for their soul and entrance into heaven, Wow! You want to be rich? Trust Jesus Christ and be born again into His eternal heavenly family, this is true riches, remember these penetrating words of our Lord Jesus Christ reminding humanity again of this truth/this reality, "He who is faithful in a very little [thing] is faithful also in much, and he who is dishonest {and} unjust in a very little [thing] is dishonest {and} unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the [case of] unrighteous mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions), who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not proved faithful in that which belongs to another [whether God or man], who will give you that which is your own [that is, the true riches]? No servant is able to serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by {and} be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (riches, or anything in which you trust and on which you rely)." (Luke 16:10-13) (Amplified Bible).
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 71
Paul Gives Timothy a Message to the Rich in the Church Part 1
1 Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; KJV
Now the Apostle Paul turns to give Brother Timothy a message addressed to those in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ that are rich during their sojourn or pilgrimage on the earth (before they reach their real home in heaven) with these words first, "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;" (1 Timothy 6:17) (KJV). Again we see another documentation that our Lord Jesus Christ came to this world to save sinners of every ethnicity and every socio-economic background because all have sinned and are sinners falling short of the Glory of God. The Apostle Paul wants to make sure that Timothy instruct the rich Christians that it is not our Lord Jesus' will for them to build their own earthly kingdoms, but to be a part of His building His kingdom of priest (1 Peter 2:9) being prepared to rule and rein with Him, so Paul makes his emphasis emphatic by use of the English word 'charge' at the very beginning of this verse which is translated by the Greek word paraggellō meaning as used here to transmit a message by way of giving a commandment. The little English phrase 'them that are rich' is translated by the Greek word plousios meaning wealthy; figuratively abounding with: - rich. The little English phrase 'this world' is translated by two Greek words nun and aion meaning the present time or the now age as opposed to or in contrast to the future.
In other words, the Apostle Paul commands Timothy to command the rich or wealthy Christians in the Church of Jesus Christ and he first wants them commanded 'that they be not highminded' and this English phrase is translated by the Greek word hupsēlophroneō (used only one other time in the New Testament) and it means to be lofty in mind, that is, arrogant: - be highminded. That is, not to think better of themselves than others in the Church who had less than they did, for with our Lord Jesus Christ all members of His Mystical Body are equally loved, important, and useful to Him in building His Church. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning the rich in the Church being not highminded, "One of the evils to which they are particularly exposed. The idea is, that they should not value themselves on account of their wealth, or look down with pride and arrogance on their inferiors. They should not suppose that they are any better people or any nearer heaven, because they are wealthy. Property really makes no distinction in the great things that pertain to character and salvation, It does not necessarily make one wise, or learned, or great, or good. In all these things, the man who has not wealth may be vastly the superior of him who has; and for so slight and unimportant a distinction as gold can confer, no man should be proud. Besides, let such a man reflect that his property is the gift of God; that he is made rich because God has chosen to arrange things so that he should be; that it is not primarily owing to any skill or wisdom which he has; that his property only increases his responsibility, and that it must all soon be left, and he be as poor as the 'beggar that lies at his gate;' and he will see ample reason why he should not be proud."
When Paul writes, 'nor trust in uncertain riches', he simply means that earthly money is temporary and will be gone at some point, so no person belonging to our Lord Jesus Christ should rest their trust upon them over our Lord Jesus who owns all that we have and He has just made us stewards over His things for our use and for His glory. Our Lord Jesus says this concerning earthly riches in this Proverb, "Will you set your eyes upon wealth, when [suddenly] it is gone? For riches certainly make themselves wings, like an eagle that flies toward the heavens." (Proverbs 23:5) (Amplified Bible). Therefore, to have your trust resting on temporal things is foolish, futility, and folly, but instead they are to be used here for the glory of God to help in building His kingdom and to live on the earth during our sojourn until they have been used up, nothing more nothing less. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about not trusting in uncertain riches, "The uncertainty of riches; things which are never at a stay, are ever changing, and seldom continue long with one proprietor; therefore, as well as on many other accounts, they are not to be trusted in: they cannot give happiness, because they are not fixed and permanent; neither can they meet the wishes of an immortal spirit."
When Paul writes, 'but in the living God', he is simply contrasting where our trust should be placed instead of in uncertain earthly riches. It was our Lord Jesus Himself who told us not to worry about these things; what we shall eat, what we shall drink, or what we shall wear (Matthew 6:25-34), for all things are His and He will provide and supply His sons and daughters what they need to live down here on His earth. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning our trust being only in the living God (Jesus Christ our Lord), "He is able to supply all our needs, and to do for us what riches cannot do; and, he never changes, or leaves those who put their trust in Him. He is able to meet our needs if in the flames, or in a storm at sea, or when a friend dies, or when we lie down on a bed of death, or wherever we may be in the eternal world."
When Paul writes, 'who giveth us richly all things to enjoy', he means that this earth is His (Jesus) and the fullness thereof, so He wants us to take care of and enjoy the things that He alone has made us steward over while we live down here on this His earth. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about God giving us richly all things to enjoy, "Who not only has all good, but dispenses it liberally for the supply of the wants of all His creatures; and He does not give merely what is necessary, but He gives what tends to render life comfortable. The comforts of life come from God, as well as the necessaries. He not only gives us a bare subsistence, but He gives us enjoyments. Were it not for the oppression and rapine of wicked men, every situation and state in life would be comparatively comfortable. God gives liberally; man divides it badly."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
1 Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; KJV
Now the Apostle Paul turns to give Brother Timothy a message addressed to those in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ that are rich during their sojourn or pilgrimage on the earth (before they reach their real home in heaven) with these words first, "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;" (1 Timothy 6:17) (KJV). Again we see another documentation that our Lord Jesus Christ came to this world to save sinners of every ethnicity and every socio-economic background because all have sinned and are sinners falling short of the Glory of God. The Apostle Paul wants to make sure that Timothy instruct the rich Christians that it is not our Lord Jesus' will for them to build their own earthly kingdoms, but to be a part of His building His kingdom of priest (1 Peter 2:9) being prepared to rule and rein with Him, so Paul makes his emphasis emphatic by use of the English word 'charge' at the very beginning of this verse which is translated by the Greek word paraggellō meaning as used here to transmit a message by way of giving a commandment. The little English phrase 'them that are rich' is translated by the Greek word plousios meaning wealthy; figuratively abounding with: - rich. The little English phrase 'this world' is translated by two Greek words nun and aion meaning the present time or the now age as opposed to or in contrast to the future.
In other words, the Apostle Paul commands Timothy to command the rich or wealthy Christians in the Church of Jesus Christ and he first wants them commanded 'that they be not highminded' and this English phrase is translated by the Greek word hupsēlophroneō (used only one other time in the New Testament) and it means to be lofty in mind, that is, arrogant: - be highminded. That is, not to think better of themselves than others in the Church who had less than they did, for with our Lord Jesus Christ all members of His Mystical Body are equally loved, important, and useful to Him in building His Church. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning the rich in the Church being not highminded, "One of the evils to which they are particularly exposed. The idea is, that they should not value themselves on account of their wealth, or look down with pride and arrogance on their inferiors. They should not suppose that they are any better people or any nearer heaven, because they are wealthy. Property really makes no distinction in the great things that pertain to character and salvation, It does not necessarily make one wise, or learned, or great, or good. In all these things, the man who has not wealth may be vastly the superior of him who has; and for so slight and unimportant a distinction as gold can confer, no man should be proud. Besides, let such a man reflect that his property is the gift of God; that he is made rich because God has chosen to arrange things so that he should be; that it is not primarily owing to any skill or wisdom which he has; that his property only increases his responsibility, and that it must all soon be left, and he be as poor as the 'beggar that lies at his gate;' and he will see ample reason why he should not be proud."
When Paul writes, 'nor trust in uncertain riches', he simply means that earthly money is temporary and will be gone at some point, so no person belonging to our Lord Jesus Christ should rest their trust upon them over our Lord Jesus who owns all that we have and He has just made us stewards over His things for our use and for His glory. Our Lord Jesus says this concerning earthly riches in this Proverb, "Will you set your eyes upon wealth, when [suddenly] it is gone? For riches certainly make themselves wings, like an eagle that flies toward the heavens." (Proverbs 23:5) (Amplified Bible). Therefore, to have your trust resting on temporal things is foolish, futility, and folly, but instead they are to be used here for the glory of God to help in building His kingdom and to live on the earth during our sojourn until they have been used up, nothing more nothing less. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about not trusting in uncertain riches, "The uncertainty of riches; things which are never at a stay, are ever changing, and seldom continue long with one proprietor; therefore, as well as on many other accounts, they are not to be trusted in: they cannot give happiness, because they are not fixed and permanent; neither can they meet the wishes of an immortal spirit."
When Paul writes, 'but in the living God', he is simply contrasting where our trust should be placed instead of in uncertain earthly riches. It was our Lord Jesus Himself who told us not to worry about these things; what we shall eat, what we shall drink, or what we shall wear (Matthew 6:25-34), for all things are His and He will provide and supply His sons and daughters what they need to live down here on His earth. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning our trust being only in the living God (Jesus Christ our Lord), "He is able to supply all our needs, and to do for us what riches cannot do; and, he never changes, or leaves those who put their trust in Him. He is able to meet our needs if in the flames, or in a storm at sea, or when a friend dies, or when we lie down on a bed of death, or wherever we may be in the eternal world."
When Paul writes, 'who giveth us richly all things to enjoy', he means that this earth is His (Jesus) and the fullness thereof, so He wants us to take care of and enjoy the things that He alone has made us steward over while we live down here on this His earth. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about God giving us richly all things to enjoy, "Who not only has all good, but dispenses it liberally for the supply of the wants of all His creatures; and He does not give merely what is necessary, but He gives what tends to render life comfortable. The comforts of life come from God, as well as the necessaries. He not only gives us a bare subsistence, but He gives us enjoyments. Were it not for the oppression and rapine of wicked men, every situation and state in life would be comparatively comfortable. God gives liberally; man divides it badly."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 70
Paul Encourages Timothy to Continue in the True Gospel Part 5
1 Timothy 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. KJV
Lastly, Paul takes his declaration to Brother Timothy of who our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ truly is to the highest heights as he says this concerning Him, "Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen." (1 Timothy 6:16) (KJV). When Paul writes this first part of this verse saying, 'who only hath immortality', he means that our Lord Jesus Christ (the One True God) is the only One who has underived or original immortality, that is, immortality that was not given to Him by creation or a creator, for He is The Creator of heaven and earth and all things just as this same Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in the Colossian Church with these words, "For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created {and} exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in {and} for Him. And He Himself existed before all things, and in Him all things consist (cohere, are held together)." (Colossians 1:16-17) (Amplified Bible).
The English word 'only' is translated by the Greek word monos meaning remaining, that is, sole or single; by implication mere: - alone, only, by themselves. The English word 'immortality' is translated by the Greek word athanasia meaning deathlessness: - immortality. Note: "The Apostle Paul uses this Greek word 'monos' referring to our Lord Jesus Christ here in this first letter to Timothy because during his time there were earthly men who had made or declared themselves to be god. Domitian (the Roman Emperor during this time) had decided, determined, and declared himself to be lord and god on the earth and was to be at all times and in all ways addressed as such." Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning our Lord Jesus Christ (God) as being the only One who has immortality, "God, in His own nature, enjoys a perfect and certain exemption from death. Creatures have immortality only as they derive it from Him, and of course are dependent on Him for it. He has it by His very nature, and it is in His case underived, and He cannot be deprived of it. It is one of the essential attributes of His being, that He will always exist, and that death cannot reach Him; compare the expression in John 5:26."
When Paul writes, 'dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto', he is saying that just as the Sun (created by God) is unapproachable due to the great intensity of the fire and heat exerted from it, so is our Lord Jesus Christ (God) even more so because of His Great Power, Properties, and Purity can no sinful man/woman approach Him unless they have been born again, remember what our Lord Jesus (while covering His Glory on the earth) said to Nicodemus, "Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother's womb again and be born? Jesus answered, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and [even] the Spirit, he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God." (John 3:3-5) (Amplified Bible). Therefore, this is step one in our being able to approach God who is unapproachable by us sinners, however, the final step is for us to have our mortality done away with and given over to immortality.
Paul declared this to the believers in the Corinthian Church with these words, "But I tell you this, brethren, flesh and blood cannot [become partakers of eternal salvation and] inherit {or} share in the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable (that which is decaying) inherit {or} share in the imperishable (the immortal). Take notice! I tell you a mystery (a secret truth, an event decreed by the hidden purpose or counsel of God). We shall not all fall asleep [in death], but we shall all be changed (transformed) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the [sound of the] last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead [in Christ] will be raised imperishable (free and immune from decay), and we shall be changed (transformed). For this perishable [part of us] must put on the imperishable [nature], and this mortal [part of us, this nature that is capable of dying] must put on immortality (freedom from death)." (1 Corinthians 15:50-53) (Amplified Bible). Here again is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning the light that God dwells in, "'Inhabiting inapproachable light.' The light where He dwells is so brilliant and dazzling that mortal eyes could not endure it. This is a very common representation of the dwelling place of God. Heaven is constantly represented as a place of the most pure and brilliant light, needing not the light of the sun, or the moon, or the stars Revelation 21:23-24; Revelation 22:5, and God is represented as dwelling in that light, surrounded by amazing and inapproachable glory."
When Paul writes, 'whom no man hath seen, nor can see', he is referring to the very Nature of God being so Pure and so Powerful, that no sinful unredeemed man could see or be in the presence of such Purity and Power and live, but those of us who have been redeemed will see a part or portion of His Glory in heaven with Him for we shall be changed and transformed in the likeness of Him just as the Apostle John declared we would when he wrote these words, "See what [an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named {and} called {and} counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him. Beloved, we are [even here and] now God's children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes {and} is manifested, we shall [as God's children] resemble {and} be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is." (1 John 3:1-2) (Amplified Bible). Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning seeing God, "Nowhere but in Christ, at least spiritually and savingly; and that but very imperfectly in the present state: the sin, frailty, and mortality of human nature must be taken away, in order to inherit the Kingdom of God, and enjoy the beatific vision of Him; which saints in heaven have, who see Him as He is, and in such sort as no man now does, or can see Him." To our Lord Jesus Christ alone is Honor, that is, esteem especially of the highest degree; Power, that is, great vigor and dominion and strength; Everlasting, that is, perpetual continuing forever or indefinitely. Amen or so be it!
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
1 Timothy 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. KJV
Lastly, Paul takes his declaration to Brother Timothy of who our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ truly is to the highest heights as he says this concerning Him, "Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen." (1 Timothy 6:16) (KJV). When Paul writes this first part of this verse saying, 'who only hath immortality', he means that our Lord Jesus Christ (the One True God) is the only One who has underived or original immortality, that is, immortality that was not given to Him by creation or a creator, for He is The Creator of heaven and earth and all things just as this same Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in the Colossian Church with these words, "For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created {and} exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in {and} for Him. And He Himself existed before all things, and in Him all things consist (cohere, are held together)." (Colossians 1:16-17) (Amplified Bible).
The English word 'only' is translated by the Greek word monos meaning remaining, that is, sole or single; by implication mere: - alone, only, by themselves. The English word 'immortality' is translated by the Greek word athanasia meaning deathlessness: - immortality. Note: "The Apostle Paul uses this Greek word 'monos' referring to our Lord Jesus Christ here in this first letter to Timothy because during his time there were earthly men who had made or declared themselves to be god. Domitian (the Roman Emperor during this time) had decided, determined, and declared himself to be lord and god on the earth and was to be at all times and in all ways addressed as such." Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning our Lord Jesus Christ (God) as being the only One who has immortality, "God, in His own nature, enjoys a perfect and certain exemption from death. Creatures have immortality only as they derive it from Him, and of course are dependent on Him for it. He has it by His very nature, and it is in His case underived, and He cannot be deprived of it. It is one of the essential attributes of His being, that He will always exist, and that death cannot reach Him; compare the expression in John 5:26."
When Paul writes, 'dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto', he is saying that just as the Sun (created by God) is unapproachable due to the great intensity of the fire and heat exerted from it, so is our Lord Jesus Christ (God) even more so because of His Great Power, Properties, and Purity can no sinful man/woman approach Him unless they have been born again, remember what our Lord Jesus (while covering His Glory on the earth) said to Nicodemus, "Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother's womb again and be born? Jesus answered, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and [even] the Spirit, he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God." (John 3:3-5) (Amplified Bible). Therefore, this is step one in our being able to approach God who is unapproachable by us sinners, however, the final step is for us to have our mortality done away with and given over to immortality.
Paul declared this to the believers in the Corinthian Church with these words, "But I tell you this, brethren, flesh and blood cannot [become partakers of eternal salvation and] inherit {or} share in the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable (that which is decaying) inherit {or} share in the imperishable (the immortal). Take notice! I tell you a mystery (a secret truth, an event decreed by the hidden purpose or counsel of God). We shall not all fall asleep [in death], but we shall all be changed (transformed) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the [sound of the] last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead [in Christ] will be raised imperishable (free and immune from decay), and we shall be changed (transformed). For this perishable [part of us] must put on the imperishable [nature], and this mortal [part of us, this nature that is capable of dying] must put on immortality (freedom from death)." (1 Corinthians 15:50-53) (Amplified Bible). Here again is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning the light that God dwells in, "'Inhabiting inapproachable light.' The light where He dwells is so brilliant and dazzling that mortal eyes could not endure it. This is a very common representation of the dwelling place of God. Heaven is constantly represented as a place of the most pure and brilliant light, needing not the light of the sun, or the moon, or the stars Revelation 21:23-24; Revelation 22:5, and God is represented as dwelling in that light, surrounded by amazing and inapproachable glory."
When Paul writes, 'whom no man hath seen, nor can see', he is referring to the very Nature of God being so Pure and so Powerful, that no sinful unredeemed man could see or be in the presence of such Purity and Power and live, but those of us who have been redeemed will see a part or portion of His Glory in heaven with Him for we shall be changed and transformed in the likeness of Him just as the Apostle John declared we would when he wrote these words, "See what [an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named {and} called {and} counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him. Beloved, we are [even here and] now God's children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes {and} is manifested, we shall [as God's children] resemble {and} be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is." (1 John 3:1-2) (Amplified Bible). Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning seeing God, "Nowhere but in Christ, at least spiritually and savingly; and that but very imperfectly in the present state: the sin, frailty, and mortality of human nature must be taken away, in order to inherit the Kingdom of God, and enjoy the beatific vision of Him; which saints in heaven have, who see Him as He is, and in such sort as no man now does, or can see Him." To our Lord Jesus Christ alone is Honor, that is, esteem especially of the highest degree; Power, that is, great vigor and dominion and strength; Everlasting, that is, perpetual continuing forever or indefinitely. Amen or so be it!
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 69
Paul Encourages Timothy to Continue in the True Gospel Part 4
1 Timothy 6:15 Which in His times He shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; KJV
In concluding this discourse of encouragement to Brother Timothy, Paul reminds him who our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ truly is and how unbreakable, unpenetrable, and unshakable are His power, plans, and programs on the earth and in heaven and throughout all of the many universes He created for Himself and for our enjoyment eternally with Him. Despite the chaos forged, formed, and fashioned now on the earth by the devil through evil men and women, it is futile chaos because all things are still under the control and order of Christ Jesus our Lord, just as it has always been before time and just as it was during His time on the earth carrying out His prepared plan of salvation for you and me and all who have come to the foot of His Cross in repentance and faith believing that He is who He has said He is and waiting for His 2nd coming to the earth, therefore, Paul cements this truth by what he writes here to Brother Timothy then and to you and me now who believe and to all true believers of every era and generation, "Which in His times He shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;" (1 Timothy 6:15) (KJV). When Paul writes here, 'which in His times He shall shew', he is doing what Paul did in all of his epistles/letters and that is to declare a point or fact repeatedly, just as he wrote this same truth to Timothy before (1 Timothy 2:6) and he means that our Lord Jesus Christ knows the time of His 2nd coming to the earth and the actual time or year of His coming He will not disclose to anyone, not even the Apostle Paul or Timothy, so Paul wants Timothy to understand this and not allow this absence of revelation to deter him from caring out the will of God in and for His life during his sojourn on the earth. Here is a brief but very insightful view of what Paul means with this statement by John Wesley, "Which - Appearing. In His own times - The power, the knowledge, and the revelation of which, remain in His eternal mind."
And their in the mind of our Lord Jesus Christ will this knowledge remain until He 'shall shew' and this little English phrase is translated by the Greek word deiknuō meaning exactly what our English definition declares and that is, to show (literally or figuratively), that is, make visible or noticeable or make clear (e.g. with a sign) which place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively: - shew. Our Lord Jesus declared this exclusivity of knowledge then while He was still on the earth just prior or before His ascension back to Heaven to God the Father alone as He said this to the early disciples when they asked about Israel being restored the kingdom, "So when they were assembled, they asked Him, Lord, is this the time when You will reestablish the kingdom {and} restore it to Israel? He said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with {and} know what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed years and seasons (their critical niche in time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice {and} authority {and} personal power. But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth." (Acts 1:6-8) (Amplified Bible). In other words, don't concern yourselves with the kingdom being restored to Israel or with when I will return to earth to do that, but you just do what I command you to do down here now by the power of the Holy Spirit and all those things I and the Father will hold onto in our own time. Note: "This section of Holy Scripture is a testimony of how it is only within the will of God to disclose the future to any of His children, despite what many of these 'so-called' spiritual mediums declare to people. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the only One who knows the future and He only can declare it to His children when He deems it appropiate, just as He did with the Apostle Peter when He restored Peter after Peter denied Him three (3) times He said this to him shortly before His ascension back to Heaven, 'I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, when you were young you girded yourself [put on your own belt or girdle] and you walked about wherever you pleased to go. But when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will put a girdle around you and carry you where you do not wish to go. He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. And after this, He said to him, Follow Me!'"
When Paul writes here, 'who is the blessed and only Potentate', he declares our Lord Jesus Christ to be not only a ruler, but the Supreme Ruler of all creation in heaven on the earth underneath the earth and all His universes. The English word 'blessed' is translated by the Greek word makarios which means supremely blest (Highly favored); by extension fortunate, well off: - blessed, happy. In other words, Jesus within Himself (as God) is blessed by virtue of the flawlessness of His Nature, and He has all within Himself for His satisfaction, sufficiency, and supply. He needs nothing outside of Himself to be happy or well off, but He chooses to share His own blessedness with all of His Creatures that He made. The earth is the Lord Jesus' and the fullness thereof (Psalm 24:1), yet He allows the humans that He created to live in and on it rent free, breathing His oxygen and eating the food He supplied here all at no cost to humanity. The English word 'Potentate' is translated by the Greek word dunastēs meaning a ruler or officer: - of great authority, mighty, potentate. Here is what the Apostle John wrote concerning Him in the Book of Revelation, "And they sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb, saying, Mighty and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God the Omnipotent! Righteous (just) and true are Your ways, O Sovereign of the ages (King of the {nations})! Who shall not reverence and glorify Your name, O Lord [giving You honor and praise in worship]? For You only are holy. All the nations shall come and pay homage {and} adoration to You, for Your just judgments (Your righteous sentences and deeds) have been made known {and} displayed." (Revelation 15:3-4) (Amplified Bible). The phrases 'King of kings' and 'Lord of lords', means that all earthly kings have their authority and power from Him whether they acknowledge it or not and it is He (Christ) that brings down kings on the earth and destroys their little paper kingdoms. It wasn't the United States Military that destroyed Sadaam Houisan, but it was the King of kings our Lord Jesus Christ, just as it is written by the Prophet Daniel when he wrote these words, "Daniel answered, Blessed be the name of God forever and ever! For wisdom and might are His! He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding!" (Daniel 2:20-21) (Amplified Bible). Here is what Matthew Henry had to say about the reference of our Lord Jesus as the only Potentate and King of kings and Lord of lords, "That God is the only Potentate; the powers of earthly princes are all derived from Him, and depend upon Him. The powers that exist are ordained of God, Romans 13:1. He is the only Potentate that is Absolute and Sovereign, and Perfectly Independent. He is the blessed and the only Potentate, infinitely happy, and nothing can in the least impair His happiness. He is King of kings, and Lord of lords. All the kings of the earth derive their power from Him; He gave them their crowns, they hold them under Him, and He has a Sovereign Dominion over them. This is Christ's title (Revelation 19:16), upon His vesture and His thigh; for He has a name higher than the kings of the earth."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
1 Timothy 6:15 Which in His times He shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; KJV
In concluding this discourse of encouragement to Brother Timothy, Paul reminds him who our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ truly is and how unbreakable, unpenetrable, and unshakable are His power, plans, and programs on the earth and in heaven and throughout all of the many universes He created for Himself and for our enjoyment eternally with Him. Despite the chaos forged, formed, and fashioned now on the earth by the devil through evil men and women, it is futile chaos because all things are still under the control and order of Christ Jesus our Lord, just as it has always been before time and just as it was during His time on the earth carrying out His prepared plan of salvation for you and me and all who have come to the foot of His Cross in repentance and faith believing that He is who He has said He is and waiting for His 2nd coming to the earth, therefore, Paul cements this truth by what he writes here to Brother Timothy then and to you and me now who believe and to all true believers of every era and generation, "Which in His times He shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;" (1 Timothy 6:15) (KJV). When Paul writes here, 'which in His times He shall shew', he is doing what Paul did in all of his epistles/letters and that is to declare a point or fact repeatedly, just as he wrote this same truth to Timothy before (1 Timothy 2:6) and he means that our Lord Jesus Christ knows the time of His 2nd coming to the earth and the actual time or year of His coming He will not disclose to anyone, not even the Apostle Paul or Timothy, so Paul wants Timothy to understand this and not allow this absence of revelation to deter him from caring out the will of God in and for His life during his sojourn on the earth. Here is a brief but very insightful view of what Paul means with this statement by John Wesley, "Which - Appearing. In His own times - The power, the knowledge, and the revelation of which, remain in His eternal mind."
And their in the mind of our Lord Jesus Christ will this knowledge remain until He 'shall shew' and this little English phrase is translated by the Greek word deiknuō meaning exactly what our English definition declares and that is, to show (literally or figuratively), that is, make visible or noticeable or make clear (e.g. with a sign) which place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively: - shew. Our Lord Jesus declared this exclusivity of knowledge then while He was still on the earth just prior or before His ascension back to Heaven to God the Father alone as He said this to the early disciples when they asked about Israel being restored the kingdom, "So when they were assembled, they asked Him, Lord, is this the time when You will reestablish the kingdom {and} restore it to Israel? He said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with {and} know what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed years and seasons (their critical niche in time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice {and} authority {and} personal power. But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth." (Acts 1:6-8) (Amplified Bible). In other words, don't concern yourselves with the kingdom being restored to Israel or with when I will return to earth to do that, but you just do what I command you to do down here now by the power of the Holy Spirit and all those things I and the Father will hold onto in our own time. Note: "This section of Holy Scripture is a testimony of how it is only within the will of God to disclose the future to any of His children, despite what many of these 'so-called' spiritual mediums declare to people. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the only One who knows the future and He only can declare it to His children when He deems it appropiate, just as He did with the Apostle Peter when He restored Peter after Peter denied Him three (3) times He said this to him shortly before His ascension back to Heaven, 'I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, when you were young you girded yourself [put on your own belt or girdle] and you walked about wherever you pleased to go. But when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will put a girdle around you and carry you where you do not wish to go. He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. And after this, He said to him, Follow Me!'"
When Paul writes here, 'who is the blessed and only Potentate', he declares our Lord Jesus Christ to be not only a ruler, but the Supreme Ruler of all creation in heaven on the earth underneath the earth and all His universes. The English word 'blessed' is translated by the Greek word makarios which means supremely blest (Highly favored); by extension fortunate, well off: - blessed, happy. In other words, Jesus within Himself (as God) is blessed by virtue of the flawlessness of His Nature, and He has all within Himself for His satisfaction, sufficiency, and supply. He needs nothing outside of Himself to be happy or well off, but He chooses to share His own blessedness with all of His Creatures that He made. The earth is the Lord Jesus' and the fullness thereof (Psalm 24:1), yet He allows the humans that He created to live in and on it rent free, breathing His oxygen and eating the food He supplied here all at no cost to humanity. The English word 'Potentate' is translated by the Greek word dunastēs meaning a ruler or officer: - of great authority, mighty, potentate. Here is what the Apostle John wrote concerning Him in the Book of Revelation, "And they sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb, saying, Mighty and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God the Omnipotent! Righteous (just) and true are Your ways, O Sovereign of the ages (King of the {nations})! Who shall not reverence and glorify Your name, O Lord [giving You honor and praise in worship]? For You only are holy. All the nations shall come and pay homage {and} adoration to You, for Your just judgments (Your righteous sentences and deeds) have been made known {and} displayed." (Revelation 15:3-4) (Amplified Bible). The phrases 'King of kings' and 'Lord of lords', means that all earthly kings have their authority and power from Him whether they acknowledge it or not and it is He (Christ) that brings down kings on the earth and destroys their little paper kingdoms. It wasn't the United States Military that destroyed Sadaam Houisan, but it was the King of kings our Lord Jesus Christ, just as it is written by the Prophet Daniel when he wrote these words, "Daniel answered, Blessed be the name of God forever and ever! For wisdom and might are His! He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding!" (Daniel 2:20-21) (Amplified Bible). Here is what Matthew Henry had to say about the reference of our Lord Jesus as the only Potentate and King of kings and Lord of lords, "That God is the only Potentate; the powers of earthly princes are all derived from Him, and depend upon Him. The powers that exist are ordained of God, Romans 13:1. He is the only Potentate that is Absolute and Sovereign, and Perfectly Independent. He is the blessed and the only Potentate, infinitely happy, and nothing can in the least impair His happiness. He is King of kings, and Lord of lords. All the kings of the earth derive their power from Him; He gave them their crowns, they hold them under Him, and He has a Sovereign Dominion over them. This is Christ's title (Revelation 19:16), upon His vesture and His thigh; for He has a name higher than the kings of the earth."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 68
Paul Encourages Timothy to Continue in the True Gospel Part 3
1 Timothy 6:13-14 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: KJV
Paul wants Timothy to have in his mind and his understanding how very sure, secure, and sound his confession and profession of his faith in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ truly is now for him as he continues his sojourn on the earth and how it will be for all eternity when he is in heaven with all we saints before the Throne of God the Father by writing these words to him saying, "I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;" (1 Timothy 6:13) (KJV). The little English phrase 'I give thee charge' is translated by the Greek word paraggellō which means to transmit a message, that is, (by implication) to enjoin: - to give command or to declare. The little English phrase 'in the sight' is translated by the Greek word enōpion meaning in the face of (literally or figuratively): - before, in the presence (sight) of, to. In other words, Timothy had made his confession of faith in the sight of many earthly witnesses, but now the Apostle Paul wants to remind him that their is another witness much Greater than all of those on the earth who have witnessed his profession of faith and that is God the Father who sees all things and knows all things everywhere in His Creation, for He is Omniscient (Infinitely wise) and Omnipotent (Having unlimited power), knowing all who truly belong to Him (2 Timothy 2:19). He (God the Father) is The One who gives life to all things (physical life and spiritual life), therefore, He is The One who has given to Timothy his spiritual life 'in Christ' and this is what the Apostle means by 'who quickeneth all things'. This little English phrase 'who quickeneth' is translated by the Greek word zōopoieō meaning to (re-) vitalize (literally or figuratively): - make alive, give life, quicken, just as it is written by this same Apostle Paul to the Ephesian Church with these words, "And you [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your] trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1) (Amplified Bible).
It was our Lord Jesus Christ that also made this good confession before He was about to be crucified in the presence of Pontius Pilate as it is written and recorded for us by the Apostle John, "So Pilate went back again into the judgment hall and called Jesus and asked Him, Are You the King of the Jews? Jesus replied, Are you saying this of yourself [on your own initiative], or have others told you about Me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Your [own] people {and} nation and their chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?Jesus answered, My kingdom (kingship, royal power) belongs not to this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My followers would have been fighting to keep Me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, My kingdom is not from here (this world); [it has no such origin or source]. Pilate said to Him, Then You are a King? Jesus answered, You say it! [You speak correctly!] For I am a King. [Certainly I am a King!] This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the Truth. Everyone who is of the Truth [who is a friend of the Truth, who belongs to the Truth] hears {and} listens to My voice." (John 18:33-37) (Amplified Bible). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about this verse, "God, who is the fountain of life, and who is the resurrection; and who will raise thee up at the last day to a life of ineffable glory, if thou be faithful unto death. And should thy life fall a sacrifice to the performance of thy duty, all will be safe; for thy life is hid with Christ in God, and when He who is thy life shall appear, then shalt thou also appear with Him in glory! Thy kingdom is not of this world; remember that this good confession was made by thy Master before Pilate. Keep disentangled from all earthly things, live to and for God, and all will be well."
The Apostle Paul wants Timothy to treasure and store up these words written to him and guard them from neglect and from loss, therefore, he writes this to him in the very next verse, "That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:" (1 Timothy 6:14) (KJV). The little English word 'keep' Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word tēreō meaning as used here to guard (from loss or injury, properly by keeping the eye upon. The English word 'commandment' is translated by the Greek word entolē which means as used here injunction, that is, an authoritative prescription: - commandment, precept. The little English phrase 'without spot' is translated by the Greek word aspilos meaning as used here unblemished (physically or morally): - without spot, unspotted. The English word 'unrebukeable' is translated by the Greek word anepilēptos meaning as used here (by implication) inculpable: - blameless, unrebukeable. In other words, Paul is calling on Brother Timothy to be vigilant in his adherence, that is, his faithfulness to the truth of the Gospel of Christ, the Gospel of Grace guarding it in his inner man free from moral corruption or compromise of it being free in his mind/soul that he has stayed true to the true Gospel during his entire pilgrimage on the earth marching to his heavenly home.
When Paul writes these words at the end of this verse, 'until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ', he means until the 2nd Coming of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ to the earth to do away with sin, time, the devil, the beast, the false prophet, and all human beings who did not love His 2nd Coming to the earth and remain clothed with their sin and not clothed with His righteousness, just as our Lord Jesus declared to the Jews with these words during His earthly ministry before His death on the Cross, "Therefore He said again to them, I am going away, and you will be looking for Me, and you will die in (under the curse of) your sin. Where I am going, it is not possible for you to come. At this the Jews began to ask among themselves, Will He kill Himself? Is that why He says, Where I am going, it is not possible for you to come? He said to them, You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world (of this earthly order); I am not of this world. That is why I told you that you will die in (under the curse of) your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He [Whom I claim to be--if you do not adhere to, trust in, and rely on Me], you will die in your sins." (John 8:21-24) (Amplified Bible). Here is what Matthew Henry had to say concerning this verse, "Keep it as long as thou live, till Christ come at death to give thee a discharge. Keep it with an eye to His Second Coming, when we must all give an account of the talents we have been entrusted with,' Luke 16:2. Observe, The Lord Jesus Christ will appear, and it will be a glorious appearing, not like His first appearing in the days of His humiliation. Ministers should have an eye to this appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ in all their ministrations, and, till His appearing, they are to keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable. Mentioning the appearing of Christ, as one that loved it, Paul loves to speak of it, and loves to speak of Him who shall then appear. The appearing of Christ is certain (He shall show it), but it is not for us to know the time and season of it, which the Father has kept in His own power: let this suffice us, that in time He will show it, in the time that He thinks fit for it."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
1 Timothy 6:13-14 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: KJV
Paul wants Timothy to have in his mind and his understanding how very sure, secure, and sound his confession and profession of his faith in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ truly is now for him as he continues his sojourn on the earth and how it will be for all eternity when he is in heaven with all we saints before the Throne of God the Father by writing these words to him saying, "I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;" (1 Timothy 6:13) (KJV). The little English phrase 'I give thee charge' is translated by the Greek word paraggellō which means to transmit a message, that is, (by implication) to enjoin: - to give command or to declare. The little English phrase 'in the sight' is translated by the Greek word enōpion meaning in the face of (literally or figuratively): - before, in the presence (sight) of, to. In other words, Timothy had made his confession of faith in the sight of many earthly witnesses, but now the Apostle Paul wants to remind him that their is another witness much Greater than all of those on the earth who have witnessed his profession of faith and that is God the Father who sees all things and knows all things everywhere in His Creation, for He is Omniscient (Infinitely wise) and Omnipotent (Having unlimited power), knowing all who truly belong to Him (2 Timothy 2:19). He (God the Father) is The One who gives life to all things (physical life and spiritual life), therefore, He is The One who has given to Timothy his spiritual life 'in Christ' and this is what the Apostle means by 'who quickeneth all things'. This little English phrase 'who quickeneth' is translated by the Greek word zōopoieō meaning to (re-) vitalize (literally or figuratively): - make alive, give life, quicken, just as it is written by this same Apostle Paul to the Ephesian Church with these words, "And you [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your] trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1) (Amplified Bible).
It was our Lord Jesus Christ that also made this good confession before He was about to be crucified in the presence of Pontius Pilate as it is written and recorded for us by the Apostle John, "So Pilate went back again into the judgment hall and called Jesus and asked Him, Are You the King of the Jews? Jesus replied, Are you saying this of yourself [on your own initiative], or have others told you about Me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Your [own] people {and} nation and their chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?Jesus answered, My kingdom (kingship, royal power) belongs not to this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My followers would have been fighting to keep Me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, My kingdom is not from here (this world); [it has no such origin or source]. Pilate said to Him, Then You are a King? Jesus answered, You say it! [You speak correctly!] For I am a King. [Certainly I am a King!] This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the Truth. Everyone who is of the Truth [who is a friend of the Truth, who belongs to the Truth] hears {and} listens to My voice." (John 18:33-37) (Amplified Bible). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about this verse, "God, who is the fountain of life, and who is the resurrection; and who will raise thee up at the last day to a life of ineffable glory, if thou be faithful unto death. And should thy life fall a sacrifice to the performance of thy duty, all will be safe; for thy life is hid with Christ in God, and when He who is thy life shall appear, then shalt thou also appear with Him in glory! Thy kingdom is not of this world; remember that this good confession was made by thy Master before Pilate. Keep disentangled from all earthly things, live to and for God, and all will be well."
The Apostle Paul wants Timothy to treasure and store up these words written to him and guard them from neglect and from loss, therefore, he writes this to him in the very next verse, "That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:" (1 Timothy 6:14) (KJV). The little English word 'keep' Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word tēreō meaning as used here to guard (from loss or injury, properly by keeping the eye upon. The English word 'commandment' is translated by the Greek word entolē which means as used here injunction, that is, an authoritative prescription: - commandment, precept. The little English phrase 'without spot' is translated by the Greek word aspilos meaning as used here unblemished (physically or morally): - without spot, unspotted. The English word 'unrebukeable' is translated by the Greek word anepilēptos meaning as used here (by implication) inculpable: - blameless, unrebukeable. In other words, Paul is calling on Brother Timothy to be vigilant in his adherence, that is, his faithfulness to the truth of the Gospel of Christ, the Gospel of Grace guarding it in his inner man free from moral corruption or compromise of it being free in his mind/soul that he has stayed true to the true Gospel during his entire pilgrimage on the earth marching to his heavenly home.
When Paul writes these words at the end of this verse, 'until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ', he means until the 2nd Coming of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ to the earth to do away with sin, time, the devil, the beast, the false prophet, and all human beings who did not love His 2nd Coming to the earth and remain clothed with their sin and not clothed with His righteousness, just as our Lord Jesus declared to the Jews with these words during His earthly ministry before His death on the Cross, "Therefore He said again to them, I am going away, and you will be looking for Me, and you will die in (under the curse of) your sin. Where I am going, it is not possible for you to come. At this the Jews began to ask among themselves, Will He kill Himself? Is that why He says, Where I am going, it is not possible for you to come? He said to them, You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world (of this earthly order); I am not of this world. That is why I told you that you will die in (under the curse of) your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He [Whom I claim to be--if you do not adhere to, trust in, and rely on Me], you will die in your sins." (John 8:21-24) (Amplified Bible). Here is what Matthew Henry had to say concerning this verse, "Keep it as long as thou live, till Christ come at death to give thee a discharge. Keep it with an eye to His Second Coming, when we must all give an account of the talents we have been entrusted with,' Luke 16:2. Observe, The Lord Jesus Christ will appear, and it will be a glorious appearing, not like His first appearing in the days of His humiliation. Ministers should have an eye to this appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ in all their ministrations, and, till His appearing, they are to keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable. Mentioning the appearing of Christ, as one that loved it, Paul loves to speak of it, and loves to speak of Him who shall then appear. The appearing of Christ is certain (He shall show it), but it is not for us to know the time and season of it, which the Father has kept in His own power: let this suffice us, that in time He will show it, in the time that He thinks fit for it."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Saturday, October 13, 2018
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 67
Paul Encourages Timothy to Continue in the True Gospel Part 2
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. KJV
Next, Paul wants Timothy to be strong in his faith in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, for perhaps better than or more than any of the other early disciples, Paul knew what it was to fight against the enemy of his and our faith in Jesus Christ because even being only a believer for a short period of time this is what Paul encounterd directly from the devil (through the human instruments, i.e. two-legged devils) when he was declaring the Gospel of Christ in Damascus, "But Saul increased all the more in strength, and continued to confound {and} put to confusion the Jews who lived in Damascus by comparing {and} examining evidence {and} proving that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah). After considerable time had elapsed, the Jews conspired to put Saul out of the way by slaying him, But [the knowledge of] their plot was made known to Saul. They were guarding the [city's] gates day and night to kill him, But his disciples took him at night and let him down through the [city's] wall, lowering him in a basket {or} hamper." (Acts 9:22-25) (Amplified Bible). Note: "I just don't understand much of this popular Christianity that is found in most of the people that have built many of the very popular Mega-Churches that are growing like wildflowers in this time and era we live in today. They are well received and accepted by the city in which they reside, their many campuses and other buildings are not being vandalized or desecrated. All in all they are living their lives with not much opposition from the world and even in many cases applauded by the world, but I just don't see and read this happening in the New Testament in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ or the Apostle Paul, but I do remember these words of warning from our Lord Jesus Christ when He said, 'Woe to (alas for) you when everyone speaks fairly {and} handsomely of you {and} praises you, for even so their forefathers did to the false prophets.' (Luke 6:26) (Amplified Bible)."
Therefore, we find Paul now encouraging Brother Timothy as it is written here by him with these words to, "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:12) (KJV). The first word of this verse 'fight' is translated by the Greek word agōnizomai which is perhaps where we get our English word (agonize) from and this word means as used here to struggle, figuratively (to contend with an adversary), or generally (to endeavor to accomplish something): - fight, labor fervently, strive. The English word 'good' is translated by the Greek word kalos which means as used here valuable or virtuous or worthy. The English word 'faith' is translated by the Greek word pistis which means as used here the system of (Gospel) truth itself: - assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity. In other words, when the Apostle Paul tells Timothy and all we true believers today and of every era and generatioin to 'fight the good fight of faith', he is essentially saying we are to struggle and strive against and contend with our adversary the devil for the spiritual benefits or more clearly the spiritual fruit of our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, i.e. (love, joy, peace, patience, meekness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) which the devil can rob us of when we allow him to. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concernig fighting the good fight of faith, "The Apostle suggests to Timothy, that he had other business to do than to mind the things of this world; his life was a state of warfare; he was a soldier, and was not to entangle himself with the things of this life; he had many enemies to engage with, as Satan, and his principalities and powers; sin, and the lusts of the flesh; the world, and the men of it, and a great fight of afflictions to endure with them; as also false teachers, with, whom particularly he was to fight the good fight of faith, that so the truth of the Gospel, which they resisted, might continue with the saints."
When Paul writes, 'lay hold on eternal life', he means that Timothy and all we true believers today and of every era and generation are to let the truth that we have all eternity to live in the presence of a loving, pure, and holy God, therefore, this should sink in deeply and affect our attitude, achievements, and aspirations right now as we sojourn in our temporary house/body on the earth. The little English phrase 'lay hold on' is translated by the Greek word epilambanomai which means as used here to seize for attainment (figuratively): - take hold of eternal life right now on the earth. Just as Paul described to the Corinthian Church making the comparison of the participants in the Grecian games striving and fighting to obtain a crown that is perishable putting forth great effort in training their bodies to be at peek performance level, so ought we true believers in Jesus Christ put forth even more spiritual effort in order to lay hold of the eternal life we already have in our Lord Jesus Christ that is inpeneratrable, incorruptible, and imperishable. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning laying hold on eternal life, "Eternal life is the prize of the high calling of God, which is held up, and held forth to those who are fighting the Lord's battles; and this they should look unto as the recompense of reward; and this they may lay hold upon, even now by faith, believing their interest in it, their right unto it, and that they shall enjoy it; of which they may be the more assured, because of their effectual calling."
This last part of Dr. Gill's quote here is exactly what the Apostle means when he writes this next part of this verse to Timothy saying, 'whereunto thou art also called', for it is our calling in the belief of the Gospel of Christ, the Gospel of Grace that should make us lay hold of our eternal life 'in Christ' that we already have right now. When Paul writes these very last words of this verse, 'hast professed a good profession before many witnesses', he is ackowledging again Timothy's true conversion to Christ as it (his faith) has been witnessed by many other true believers and his public declaration of his faith 'in Christ' in baptism. His good profession was this or these words the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Roman Church, "Because if you acknowledge {and} confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) {and} confirms [his] salvation." (Romans 10:9-10) (Amplified Bible).
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. KJV
Next, Paul wants Timothy to be strong in his faith in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, for perhaps better than or more than any of the other early disciples, Paul knew what it was to fight against the enemy of his and our faith in Jesus Christ because even being only a believer for a short period of time this is what Paul encounterd directly from the devil (through the human instruments, i.e. two-legged devils) when he was declaring the Gospel of Christ in Damascus, "But Saul increased all the more in strength, and continued to confound {and} put to confusion the Jews who lived in Damascus by comparing {and} examining evidence {and} proving that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah). After considerable time had elapsed, the Jews conspired to put Saul out of the way by slaying him, But [the knowledge of] their plot was made known to Saul. They were guarding the [city's] gates day and night to kill him, But his disciples took him at night and let him down through the [city's] wall, lowering him in a basket {or} hamper." (Acts 9:22-25) (Amplified Bible). Note: "I just don't understand much of this popular Christianity that is found in most of the people that have built many of the very popular Mega-Churches that are growing like wildflowers in this time and era we live in today. They are well received and accepted by the city in which they reside, their many campuses and other buildings are not being vandalized or desecrated. All in all they are living their lives with not much opposition from the world and even in many cases applauded by the world, but I just don't see and read this happening in the New Testament in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ or the Apostle Paul, but I do remember these words of warning from our Lord Jesus Christ when He said, 'Woe to (alas for) you when everyone speaks fairly {and} handsomely of you {and} praises you, for even so their forefathers did to the false prophets.' (Luke 6:26) (Amplified Bible)."
Therefore, we find Paul now encouraging Brother Timothy as it is written here by him with these words to, "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:12) (KJV). The first word of this verse 'fight' is translated by the Greek word agōnizomai which is perhaps where we get our English word (agonize) from and this word means as used here to struggle, figuratively (to contend with an adversary), or generally (to endeavor to accomplish something): - fight, labor fervently, strive. The English word 'good' is translated by the Greek word kalos which means as used here valuable or virtuous or worthy. The English word 'faith' is translated by the Greek word pistis which means as used here the system of (Gospel) truth itself: - assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity. In other words, when the Apostle Paul tells Timothy and all we true believers today and of every era and generatioin to 'fight the good fight of faith', he is essentially saying we are to struggle and strive against and contend with our adversary the devil for the spiritual benefits or more clearly the spiritual fruit of our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, i.e. (love, joy, peace, patience, meekness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) which the devil can rob us of when we allow him to. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concernig fighting the good fight of faith, "The Apostle suggests to Timothy, that he had other business to do than to mind the things of this world; his life was a state of warfare; he was a soldier, and was not to entangle himself with the things of this life; he had many enemies to engage with, as Satan, and his principalities and powers; sin, and the lusts of the flesh; the world, and the men of it, and a great fight of afflictions to endure with them; as also false teachers, with, whom particularly he was to fight the good fight of faith, that so the truth of the Gospel, which they resisted, might continue with the saints."
When Paul writes, 'lay hold on eternal life', he means that Timothy and all we true believers today and of every era and generation are to let the truth that we have all eternity to live in the presence of a loving, pure, and holy God, therefore, this should sink in deeply and affect our attitude, achievements, and aspirations right now as we sojourn in our temporary house/body on the earth. The little English phrase 'lay hold on' is translated by the Greek word epilambanomai which means as used here to seize for attainment (figuratively): - take hold of eternal life right now on the earth. Just as Paul described to the Corinthian Church making the comparison of the participants in the Grecian games striving and fighting to obtain a crown that is perishable putting forth great effort in training their bodies to be at peek performance level, so ought we true believers in Jesus Christ put forth even more spiritual effort in order to lay hold of the eternal life we already have in our Lord Jesus Christ that is inpeneratrable, incorruptible, and imperishable. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning laying hold on eternal life, "Eternal life is the prize of the high calling of God, which is held up, and held forth to those who are fighting the Lord's battles; and this they should look unto as the recompense of reward; and this they may lay hold upon, even now by faith, believing their interest in it, their right unto it, and that they shall enjoy it; of which they may be the more assured, because of their effectual calling."
This last part of Dr. Gill's quote here is exactly what the Apostle means when he writes this next part of this verse to Timothy saying, 'whereunto thou art also called', for it is our calling in the belief of the Gospel of Christ, the Gospel of Grace that should make us lay hold of our eternal life 'in Christ' that we already have right now. When Paul writes these very last words of this verse, 'hast professed a good profession before many witnesses', he is ackowledging again Timothy's true conversion to Christ as it (his faith) has been witnessed by many other true believers and his public declaration of his faith 'in Christ' in baptism. His good profession was this or these words the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Roman Church, "Because if you acknowledge {and} confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) {and} confirms [his] salvation." (Romans 10:9-10) (Amplified Bible).
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
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