1 Timothy Verse by Verse
Session 13 | 1 Timothy 5:21-6:2
1 Timothy 5:21-25 | Paul's Charge
Verse 21 --
Paul gives a charge, which, as always, is never a commandment, for that which comes from Paul is of the age of grace, in which commandments would be out of place.
Paul, as our apostle, can certainly lay out the standards for our dispensation, and this he does here.
The word charge is a translation of διαμαρτύρομαι [diamarturomai“I thoroughly give witness."
Paul gives witness before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, which is self-explanatory. However, he also says he gives witness before the elect angels. Who are these elect angels?
Young's Literal translates as choice messengers. Both KJV and YLT are legitimate translations, and both are interpretive.
We know nothing of an election of angels.
“non-fallen" angels, but this would require the creation of an entirely unknown election, with no scriptural support.
It is better, so it seems, to understand election in the only way it is presented in scripture: the election of Israel, and then to understand angels in its broader meaning of messengers.
In this case, the elect angels could either be those gone to heaven, such as Elijah and Enoch, or those on earth.
On earth, in the broadest sense it would be the entire nation of the elect.
ious dispensation.
Paul's charge is for these things, which could either be the things already spoken (namely in vv. 14-20) or the things about to be spoken (vv. 22-25, and perhaps beyond).
I am making the following assumptions:
That these things can be taken either direction, and thus includes vv. 14-25.
That though these words are to Timothy (note the second-person singular pronouns), they are doctrine for anyone following in Timothy's role of pastor of a local grace-dispensation church.
Verse 22 --
Paul is almost certainly speaking of ordination when he instructs not to lay hands suddenly.
There are three passages which use the term lay hands upon to refer to being arrested (Matt. 26:50, Acts 5:18, Acts 21:27).
However, in each of these the Greek word for lay is different than in each of the occurrence of laying hands for ordination or sending purposes.
Because of the use of the same English phrase (lay hands) and the connection with other men's sins, one could erroneously conclude that the verse is talking about charging a man as guilty of sins.
These words, then, echo and enhance the instructions for the ordination of deacons in 1 Timothy 3:10.
One may question why Paul would then so suddenly switch subjects to that of partaking in other men's sins.
This objection, once again, may lead some to say that the instruction about laying hands is about having a person convicted of sin.
The reader must note that Paul is in a segment in which he suddenly and randomly changes subject (see, for example, the next verse).
However, the concern of being a partaker of other men's sins could equally be connected to the warning concerning ordination, for the word partaker is κοινωνέω [koinoneo], an inherently fellowship based word. The congregation that quickly ordains a man who is involved in sin thus fellowships with that sin.
Verse 23 --
Having instructed Timothy to keep thyself pure (v. 23), Paul now gives personal advice to use a little wine for thy stomach's sake. Timothy had some sort of stomach ailment which caused him to be often infirm. Paul instructed the use of wine for medicinal purposes.
Red wine has long been known to have medicinal benefits (balancing bacteria in the intestines).
Studies are mixed on offsetting dangers of alcohol, but certainly it has potential to do great damage.
One who, like Timothy, had stomach issues would want to consider the full gamut of remedies available, including other natural remedies, change of diet, medicinal remedies, etc.
“teetotaling" doctrine have merit to do so but should be honest enough not to build such a doctrine on Biblical prohibitions. It would be a more honest doctrine if built upon societal ill-effects, any damage to a person's witness, and the like.
Verses 23-24 --
Verses 24-25 are universal truths, regardless of dispensation. Do not be confused by the word judgment, which is not a reference to the eternal judgment, but rather the judgment given by mankind. The truth is simply that there are open sins and hidden sins (as well as good works).
This truth frees us from thinking we need to bring justice to every man's life. This is God's work, and we can leave it to Him.
1 Timothy 6:1-2a | Instructions for Servants
Verse 1 --
It seems impossible to discern whether this section (vv. 1-2) concerns Jewish doctrine or the doctrine of our dispensation. However, it seems equally impossible to see that there would be any dispensational limitation to either.
While a direct application of to servants...under the yoke is likely irrelevant to most of the Christian world, an indirect application is easily applicable. Paul instructs that these servants should count their own masters worthy. That is, whether they are worthy or not, count them as such. This is so that God's name and doctrine be not blasphemed. Respect of the one in authority is a matter of witness.
Verse 2 --
It would be possible for servants with believing masters to despise them, because they are brethren, and believe that the masters should give them freedom or treat them uniquely because of the mutual faith. Paul instructs servants to serve their master even when their master is a brother. The master is to be treated as faithful and beloved.
Paul is not specific when he says that both master and servant are partakers of the benefit. While he is possibly speaking of the benefit (literally, good work) of the servant, it seems more likely he speaks of the good work of Jesus Christ (valuable for both dispensations).
