Today, I am reading and commenting on 1 Timothy 5-6.

Paul begins to wrap up his letter to Timothy by giving him some pointers on recognizing false teachers.  He tells Timothy, and us, that false teachers are conceited and have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words*.  These things result in a host of relational issues, they cause friction between people.   Paul points out that those who do not accept godly teaching have corrupt minds and typically believe that godliness is a means to financial gain.  They have allowed themselves to be robbed of the truth in order to justify filling their base desires.  I want to point out that these last two sentences apply to both false teachers and to those who follow their teaching.  Paul points out to us that we should be content with what we have while living a godly life.  Doing so is greater gain than any material possessions we might acquire.  Those who seek to become wealthy as a primary goal fall into temptation.  Elsewhere Paul points out that the love of money, which is greed, is a form of idolatry.  Those who eagerly pursue money wander from faith and give themselves over to much grief.  Paul tells us that if we have food and clothing we should be content, and if we are we will gain much joy from doings so.

*One aspect of quarreling about words are those who think one must study Scripture in one particular translation.  Recently someone called me to task because I don’t use the “correct” translation.  They did not tell me what translation they think is correct.  If you have a problem with the NIV, which I am currently using, read what I write and compare my conclusions with whatever translation you prefer.  If you believe that my conclusions are wrong, please explain how I am wrong (and what translation you are using to reach that conclusion).  I will tell you that I have read enough different translations that my conclusions about the meaning of a passage are rarely altered by reading a different translation.  Although sometimes reading how a different translation renders a passage will give me insight I did not have before.  It is for that last reason that I plan to begin using the English Standard Version at the beginning of the new year.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on 1 Timothy 5-6.

Paul concludes his letter of instruction to Timothy by saying that those who teach otherwise to what he just laid out are conceited, understand nothing, and do not agree to sound teaching.  Paul gives us some clues on how to recognize such people, and how to recognize if we are becoming one of them.  Paul writes that they have an interest in controversies and quarrels which result in strife, malicious talk, and friction between people.  These false teachers think that godliness is a means to financial gain…which is the clearest counter to the various types of “prosperity gospel”.  Paul tells us that the true gain, the blessings, of following the gospel comes from being content with what God gives us as we live a godly life.  In fact, Paul writes that the love of money, and its pursuit has led many people into being the false teachers which he has just warned against, thus warning us not to fall into the same trap.  Paul instructs us that rather than pursuing material wealth we should pursue spiritual wealth which can be found as we acquire righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.  I want to note that Paul’s warning against false teachers who have an interest in creating friction between people can help us recognize those who are not acting in good faith in other areas.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on  1 Timothy 5-6.

Paul writes that some sins precede us, while others only become obvious later.  He followed that by writing that good deeds are obvious, and even those which are not obvious cannot remain hidden.  It took me quite awhile to figure out what he was saying by writing this.  After some thought, I came to the conclusion that he meant that some sins are obviously sins, while others allow us to convince ourselves that committing them is not actually a sin.  In contrast, we all know a good deed when we see it, and even if we do good deeds in secret, eventually people will notice.  As for the sinful acts which we convince ourselves are not sins, since good deeds are obvious, we can avoid those sins by only doing those things which we know are good.  Or to put it another way, if we avoid doing anything which is not obviously a good deed, we will not sin by accident.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.