Christ's Instructions

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313) 1Tim 5:14 . . I will that younger women marry, have children, manage
their homes, and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.

The Greek word for "younger" actually means new and unused; so I'd say
that Paul's orders are for girls not yet married and settled down, and maybe
thinking of putting all that off awhile for careers, adventure, and/or
whatever.

A very real danger for unattached girls is immorality. Desire, loneliness, and
longings for appreciation, have a way of building up to unbearable levels in
people who live alone; and just about that time, along comes a really great
somebody who maybe breaks down their defenses and gets a little too3
chummy. That can be a difficult moment.

● 1Cor 7:2 . . To avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let
every woman have her own husband.

NOTE: Immorality isn't the only danger related to long-term celibacy. Those
who've decided on that path need to think rationally and objectively about
their future; and ask themselves: Do I really want to live out my youth
without someone; alone and unloved in the world? Can I bear up without a
nervous break-down and/or turning to alcohol, Prozac, and overeating? Will I
become irritable and difficult, and/or end up resenting the existence of men
like aunt Lucy?

Have to be brutally honest with these questions because one's mental health
is on the line here. It's very possible for a woman to wake up one day and
realize, with terrible regret, that the aging process has set in and she's
allowed the very best years of life for love and family to slip through her
fingers.
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314) 1Tim 5:16 . . If any believing man or woman have widows, let them
relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them
that are widows indeed.

A widow indeed, as defined by 1Tim 5:9-10, is usually a woman facing
destitution who's lost her husband and has no one else, and/or nowhere
else, to turn to for assistance.
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315) 1Tim 5:17-18 . .The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are
worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and
teaching. For the scripture says: "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading
out the grain" and "The laborer is worthy of his hire."

The Greek word for "elder" basically identifies aldermen; which Webster's
defines as members of a legislative body. In other words; elders enact and
enforce the proprietary rules and bylaws that govern everybody in a local
church; including its pastor.

In some churches those rules and bylaws are called a covenant; which new
members are required to accept. The aldermen are also responsible for
settling disputes between church members (1Cor 6:1-5) so that they
correspond to "the church" that Christ spoke of at Matt 18:15-18.

Aldermen aren't peculiar to Christianity. Councils pre-existed amongst
Moses' people prior to Moses' commission (Ex 3:16). Anon, seventy of
Israel's elders were established by God as a supreme council (Num 11:16
17). One's failure to cooperate with their church's aldermen is grounds for
removing their name from the role. (Matt 18:15-18)

Since Christian aldermen sometimes wear more than one hat as preachers
and teachers; then it's very possible in a large church for them to have time
for nothing else, like for instance holding down a job. For that reason, their
constituents should try and compensate them with a decent standard of
living. I mean, after all, if their service to a local church is invaluable, then
by all means the congregation should do whatever it takes to keep them on
staff where they can devote all of their time and energy towards governing
(that is; if you feel your church is a worthwhile endeavor).

Let's say for example, that one of your church's aldermen is a retiree trying
to survive on Social Security and a diminished 401K. He'll be a lot more
effective towards your church's good if the congregation, whatever its size,
pitches in to help him make ends meet; and the outside world surely won't
blame your church for doing so unless of course they're as callous towards
the needs of a senior citizen as the heels of a hobnailed jackboot.

But beware that the congregation doesn't overcompensate its aldermen to
the point where they can afford to drive a Cadillac Escalade, wear an
Omega, and own an expensive home in an up-scale district. That will really
make Christianity look bad, and actually work against Christ's best interests.
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316) 1Tim 5:19 . . Do not accept an accusation against an elder except
before two or three witnesses.

The old testament requires a minimum of two witnesses in capital cases
(Deut 17:6-7). But the Greek word for "accusation" doesn't specify capital
crimes. It can apply to every variety of conduct unbecoming.

The way I see this: it isn't required that two or three witnesses accuse the
elder, but that an accuser do so in the hearing of two or three witnesses.
The witnesses are not there to testify against the elder; rather, to testify
against the accuser in the event it's discovered that he's the perpetrator of a
slander.

* The old testament requires that false accusers be punished with the very
same punishment that they expected for their victims. (Deut 19:16-21)
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317) 1Tim 5:20 . .Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may
fear.

Once it's discovered that an accuser's allegations are libelous, then it's time
to get up in front of the entire congregation and expose him for the cheap
goods he really is because nobody's reputation is safe in the hands of
someone like that. This is where the testimony of the aforementioned two or
three witnesses comes into play.

● 1Cor 5:11-13 . . I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone
who calls himself a brother but is a slanderer. With such a man do not even
eat. Expel the wicked man from among you.

A congregational roast can be a very humiliating experience for a church
member, and when the others see how it goes, they'll think twice before
making spurious allegations against aldermen.
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318) 1Tim 5:21 . . I charge thee before God, and The Lord Jesus Christ, and
the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one
before another, doing nothing by partiality.

NOTE: The Greek word translated "angels" is somewhat ambiguous and
doesn't necessarily refer to celestial beings. It basically pertains to
messengers, i.e. delegates; both natural and supernatural. For example Matt
11:10 where it refers to John the baptizer, and Luke 7:24 where it refers to
John's assistants, and Luke 9:52 where it refers to Jesus' assistants, and Jas
2:25 where it refers to Joshua's scouts. The angels of the seven churches
per Rev 1:11-3:22 are likely church managers but it's difficult to be certain.

I seriously doubt that very many modern Christian churches are following
Paul's instructions in regards to spurious accusations against elders. They
probably find it much easier to just gloss over issues rather than comply
with the mandatory procedure for roasting and expelling. (as if any of this is
ever optional and/or negotiable)

Another thing that modern churches are very good at these days is covering
up an elder's indiscretions when what they really deserve is a public
hanging, so to speak. Happens all the time.
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319) 1Tim 5:22a . . Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily.

The laying on of hands was a commissioning ritual back in the day. (Acts
6:1-6, Acts 13:1-3)

The ruling seems primarily concerned with the avoidance of fast-tracking
candidates for aldermen, senior pastors, associate pastors, deacons, and
deaconesses; in other words: church officials; whether high ranking or low.
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320) 1Tim 5:23 . . No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the
sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

In the days prior to the proliferation of antiseptics, antibiotics, inoculations,
and a host of other mass-produced treatments; wine was an important
remedy for just about everything from tummy aches to open wounds. (e.g.
Mark 15:23, and Luke 10:34)

Medicine has come a long ways in the last 2,000 years so that even if a little
wine would still help whatever ailed Timothy, there's probably much better
over-the-counter, non-alcoholic remedies available for his condition in our
day.

Paul mentioned that his friend had other problems too. I have no clue what
those might have been; but I have to ask: Why didn't Paul utilize his
apostolic gift of healing to cure his friend? My answer is: probably because
Timothy's problems didn’t require a miracle. For example Mark 16:13 where
Christ' men utilized oil to treat certain cases rather than miracles; which
were actually intended to be signs so they were reserved for the really tough
cases where they'd make an impression instead of a yawn.

In many, many cases; people don't need a miracle; they just need medicine.
For example: yours truly takes pills for thyroid, blood pressure, cholesterol,
acid reflux, and kidney function. That's not counting vaccines for tetanus,
flu, pneumonia, and shingles, etc, etc.

What else might be taken from 1Tim 5:23? Well; I would say DO NOT rely
upon so-called faith healing. Too many children are being lost to treatable
conditions these days because their parents are putting so much trust in
their church's interpretation of passages like Jas 5:14-15. If Paul
recommended a remedy for Timothy's tummy; don't you think he would
recommend a remedy for your child's treatable condition? Yes; of course he
would. In many, many cases; children don't need a miracle; they just need a
doctor.
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321) 1Tim 6:1-2 . . Let all who are under the yoke as slaves regard their
own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our
doctrine may not be spoken against. And let those who have believers as
their masters not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but let
them serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are
believers and beloved.

I've heard that Masons practice favoritism; but Christians should never
impose upon a fellow believer in that manner. Give your Christian employer
the respect and subordination due his position; and give him a full day's
work for a full days' pay. People are watching, and they pick up on thing
like disparity.

NOTE: I have yet to come upon a passage of scripture that condemns
slavery. I'm not saying there isn't one; only that I've yet to see it. Civil
rights activists insist slavery is evil, but from what I've seen in the Bible;
God's primary concern is in how slaves are treated.
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322) 1Tim 6:2 . .Teach and preach these principles.

Pastors should ensure their congregations are taught Paul's stuff even when
they don't care to hear it; and should never let their indifference discourage
him from doing his duty.

● 2Tim 4:1-2 . . I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ
Jesus-- who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and
His kingdom --preach the word; be ready in season and out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

. . For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but
desiring to have their ears pleased, they will accumulate for themselves
teachers in accordance with their own longings; and will turn away their ears
from the truth, and will turn aside to fiction.

To be "ready in season" likely speaks of windows of opportunity. In other
words; pastors may have their people's attention for now, but shouldn't take
their attention for granted. The old saying, "strike while the iron is hot" is
just as apropos in the pulpit as it is in parenting.

* The same can be said for internet forums. As they are today, even the
lowliest of Christians can discuss their religion with anyone in the world by
just a few clicks of the mouse, but we mustn't assume this advantage will
always be available. Carpe Diem.
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323) 1Tim 6:3-6 . . If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not
agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the
doctrine conforming to godliness; he is conceited and understands nothing;
but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about
words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and
constant friction between men of depraved minds and deprived of the truth.

I'm pretty sure that the "conceit" Paul wrote about is relative to self-taught
experts; with them there is no such thing as a second opinion. And like the
man said: they tend to be quarrelsome, i.e. perpetual debaters, constantly
arguing, going off on tangents, and never getting to the bottom of anything.
Their discussions (if we can call them that) are typically garnished with
denigrating comments and unkind remarks.
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324) 1Tim 6:8 . . Having food and raiment let us be content therewith.

According to 1Tim 1:1-3, this epistle wasn't written to a church, rather, it
was written to one of Paul's contemporaries-- a fellow church officer --so
when he uses a pronoun like "us" I think it's safe to assume, unless
indicated otherwise, that he's not speaking to a congregation.

Paul's instructions are handy for steering church officers away from wanting
too much out of life.

● 1Tim 6:6 . . Piety with contentment is great gain.

The Greek word for contentment is sometimes translated "sufficient". In
other words, when good is adequate, better isn't necessary. Good is easier
on budgets than better too. So then: if a church officer can get by with
things that are less than best, then he shouldn't waste time and energy
concerning himself with improving his situation; because, after all, their lives
here are transient.

● Heb 13:14 . . For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our
city in heaven, which is yet to come.
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325) 1Tim 6:11 . . But you-- O man of God --flee these things and pursue
righteousness, piety, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.

* German philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844-1900) believed that
Christian virtues, especially compassion, are an impediment to achieving
greatness; which is just another way of saying that nice guys finish last.

The Greek word for "flee" basically means not to walk away; rather, to run
away as if for your life. (cf. 1Cor 6:18)

FAQ: What is a man of God?

REPLY: Well; first off we should point out that the Greek word for "man" in
that passage is ánthroope which refers to human beings of either
gender; so it would be far more useful to translate that phrase "person of
God". However, man of God is okay too because when the creator made
humans, he labeled both genders "man". (Gen 1:27 & Gen 5:2)

Numerous passages in the Bible identify men of God as inspired individuals,
i.e. prophets, e.g. Abel (Luke 11:49-51) Abraham (Gen 20:7) and a whole
bunch of other people too, including women; e.g. Miriam (Ex 15:20) Deborah
(Judg 4:4) Asahiah (2Kgs 22:14) and Huldah. (2Chron 24:32)

Obviously then, if your church's officers aren't inspired; then they aren't
men of God; they're just ambitious individuals on a career path.

* The Greek word for patience basically means to be consistent. For
example: an employee at my work once did an unusually good job on one of
his assignments and felt he deserved a high score on his annual
performance evaluation because of it. But I pointed out that in order to be
rated high, the quality of his work had to be excellent all year rather than
occasionally.
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326) 1Tim 6:12a . . Fight the good fight of the faith.

The first Greek word translated "fight" pertains to struggle; literally to
compete for a prize. This is the kind of conflict played out in competitive
sports.

The word for "fight" pertains to a place of assembly; viz: the field of
completion; e.g. arenas, coliseums, and/or stadiums.

The object of a Christian's struggle is not so much conquest, but rather, a
prize. In Paul's day athletes won wreaths. In our day, they win medals and
lucrative contracts for product endorsements.

● 1Cor 9:24-26 . . Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but
only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And
everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things.
They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

In Paul's day, there were no second-place winners; only first. When the
competition is that fierce, athletes really go all out. So Paul is saying that
Christians should battle for their reward as if there were only one gold to go
around; in other words; really put their hearts into it.

However, in order to be adjudged a good fight, the contestants, win or lose,
have to go by the book.

● 2Tim 2:5 . .When someone competes as an athlete, he does not receive
the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.
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327) 1Tim 6:12b . .Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called
when you made your good profession in the presence of many witnesses.

All of Christ's believing followers possess eternal life in the here and now.
Note the grammatical tense of the "have" verb in the passages below. It's in
the present tense; not future; indicating that Christ's believing followers
have eternal life right now-- no delay, and no waiting period.

● John 3:36 . . He who believes in the Son has eternal life

● John 6:47 . .Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.

● John 5:24 . . I assure you, those who heed my message and trust in God
who sent me, have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins,
but they have already passed from Death into Life.

● 1John 5:13 . . I write these things to you who believe in the name of the
Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

So I think we can safely assume Paul wasn't trying to evangelize Timothy.

FAQ: Why would Paul encourage Timothy to take hold of eternal life if he
already had it?

REPLY: There's more to eternal life than only longevity. It comes bundled
with a supernatural something called the divine nature. (2Pet 1:3-4) Well,
we all pretty much know what human nature is, so that gives us a clue as to
the divine nature.

In a nutshell, Paul was wanting his friend to exercise his pastoral activities in
the power of the divine nature rather than in the power of human nature. In
other words; Paul didn't want Timothy to be just another run of the mill
career-path cleric; rather, he wanted his friend to be a minister empowered by
the person of God rather than the person of man.
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328) 1Tim 6:13-14 . . I charge you in the sight of God-- who gives life to
everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate
made the good confession --to keep this command without spot or blame
until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Greek word for "commandment" in that passage basically means an
injunction, i.e. an authoritative prescription. It's difficult to tell if Paul had a
specific instruction in mind or if he intended Timothy to accept his entire
epistle as the law of Christ. If the latter is the case, then the NLT seems the
better version; which reads like this:

"And I command you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ
Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, that you obey his
commands with all purity. Then no one can find fault with you from now until
our Lord Jesus Christ returns."

The NLT's version encompasses all of Christ's expectations; from Acts to
Revelation.

* The Geek translated "without spot/purity" basically means unblemished. It
takes a pretty concentrated, uncompromising effort for a man to finish up a
life of Christian service with a flawless record. That's setting the bar pretty
high, but then it would be out of character for Christ to expect less.
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329) 1Tim 6:17-19 . . Command those who are rich in this present world not
to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God,
who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.

In other words; providence is where the real security is because God
controls it rather than market fluctuations.

Webster's defines "conceit" as an excessive appreciation of one's own worth
and/or virtue. It's is all too common for the rich and famous to exhibit an
aristocratic masters-of-the-universe demeanor, so to speak. In other words:
conceited people think of themselves as self-reliant; they don't need God for
anything; no, they can get by just fine without Him. In their mind's eye, only
the weak need religion.

● 1Tim 6:18-19 . . Command them to do good, to be rich in good works, to
be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a
good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is
life indeed.

"that which is life indeed" refers to the divine nature about which Peter
wrote at 2Pet 1:4, which offers a lasting return on one's investment.

● Prov 19:17 . . He who is gracious to a poor man lends to The Lord, and He
will repay him for his good deed.
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330) 1Tim 6:20 . . Avoid impious and vain babblings, and oppositions of
science falsely so called:

Not all science is false. The kind we need to be wary of typically shows up in
informal group discussions, i.e. forums, bull sessions, and brain storming;
wherein people shoot from the lip without really knowing what they're
talking about.

For example: one day at work a man in the break room said he believes it's
arrogant to assume there is no other intelligent life in the universe but that
found on earth. You know why he said that? Because he heard it said first by
someone he admires, ergo: he was perpetuating a logical fallacy in the form
of a credible opinion.

* On June 28, 2024, The US Supreme Court overturned a long held opinion,
the so-called Chevron Deference Doctrine, which was basically an argument
from authority, i.e. a logical fallacy which supposes that someone's position,
or their credentials, makes their views more important and/or more likely to
be correct than the views of lesser folks.

In a nutshell; just because someone is high up on the "expert" totem pole
does not eo ipso make them right and/or worth repeating. Caveat Lector.
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331) 2Tim 1:8a . . Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord. (cf.1Pet
4:16-19)

Our religion is rooted in Jesus Christ. So when people identify themselves as
Christians they're saying that they're his followers; i.e. they're aligned with
him and they accept his teachings and his claims as the God's truth; while at
the same time categorizing themselves as kooks and religious fanatics; and
thus open to mockery and unkind gossip.

It's tough, but we have to bite the bullet lest when we meet Jesus, he gives
us the same look he gave Peter on the night of the Lord's arrest. (Luke
22:61-62)

● Mark 8:38 . . If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous
and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he
comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels.
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332) 2Tim 1:8b . . Don't be ashamed of me his prisoner; but Join with me in
suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.

Peter distanced himself from Christ on the night of the Lord's arrest, no
doubt fearing that if he were to admit to being one of the Lord's associates,
he'd be arrested too. It appears Paul was concerned that Timothy, who was
normally a loyal associate, would do the same to him while he was behind
bars.

The power of God is involved in one's suffering for the gospel when He sets
you up for it.

● Phil 1:29 . . For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to
believe on him, but also to suffer for him.

Suffering for the Gospel doesn't necessarily include martyrdom. The more
common forms of suffering are privation, fear, anxiety, despair, despondence,
humiliation, threats, hunger, loss of friends and family, ostracizing, ridicule,
mockery, harsh criticism, judgmental remarks, insults, intimidation, name
calling, demeaning comments, ugly insinuations, slander, teasing, harassment,
bullying, unfairness, prejudice, intolerance, disassociation, treachery, and
betrayal, etc.

NOTE: The Greek word translated "granted" basically means to bestow as a
favor, i.e. a gratuity. In other words: the adversities described above should
never be cursed as bad luck when they just might actually be providential
blessings.

● 1Pet 4:12-13 . . Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial
which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but
rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his
glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy.
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