Vs. 1-5… Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. [2] And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. [3] If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; [4] He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, [5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
Paul is reminding Timothy of the importance of maintaining the purity of the doctrine personally and for the benefit of those he will be teaching. There is a spiritual battle going on over doctrine and as a grace believer we are to be very zealous and exclusive over sound doctrine rightly divided. Please be aware that there will be active promotion of that “other doctrine”. There are thousands of teachers in our culture who will not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness. Now what are these words and doctrine Paul is talking about? There are at least three possibilities: 1. The whole Bible. 2. The words of Jesus (red letters) in His earthly ministry to Israel. 3. The words of Jesus in His heavenly ministry to Paul.
Matthew 5:17-19… Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. [18] For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. [19] Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Many teach today that “the law” ended when Jesus died on the cross and rose again. That can not be true in light of verse 18 above. Jesus also says that the person who does and teaches the law shall be called great. Now that creates a serious controversy between Jesus and Paul, because Paul wrote that we are not under the law but under grace (Rom. 6: 14).
When we apply II Timothy 2:15 the apparent conflict between Jesus and Paul is easily resolved. Galatians 1:11… But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. [12] For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Where did Paul say he got his words? From the Lord Jesus Christ. II Cor. 13:3… Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. I Cor. 14:37-38… If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. [38] But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
So what are the “words of our Lord Jesus Christ” that we should be teaching? It is the words Paul wrote to us (Romans through Philemon). The dispensation of the Kingdom to Israel has been temporarily suspended until the dispensation of grace is ended.
Paul does not say a lot of nice things about a Christian who chooses to live his life under the principles of law and teaches others to do the same. Perhaps Paul was so hard on them because he had personally taught them grace doctrine and after having learned it from his mouth they intentionally abandoned it for a law based message. The law never saved anyone nor was it given to sanctify people. It did show you that you were a sinner and in need of redemption. Maybe the people we interact with today should be cut some slack in that they have not chosen to abandon grace doctrine---they have never heard of it. According to I Cor. 4:15 the city of Corinth had 10,000 “Christian teachers”. However the assembly was in a mess because they had abandoned sound doctrine and replaced it with “unwholesome words”. Law does not produce godliness. Therefore we can accurately conclude that godliness is not determined by the availability of preachers and churches’; it is determined by the wholesome words. If you are a dispensationalist, you are up against incredible odds---10,000 to 1. (I Tim. 1:6-7).
“He is proud”…To think that you can perform what the law requires is the height of pride. Jesus alone was able to fulfill the law. Desiring to live under law reveals you are proud.
“supposing that gain is godliness”…Those who teach law are convinced they are right and approved of God. Why? Because they are growing numerically. To them growth is evidence that God is in their midst; the Holy Spirit is producing this growth. Paul’s followers were not growing in number. Paul explains true godliness in the next verse---content with who we are in Christ; content with what God is doing in the dispensation of grace; content with how the Holy Spirit does work in this dispensation. What Christ has done and is doing is enough. Remember that the word godliness is the word “god-life-ness”; Jesus living His life through us. Content means we are at peace with our standing in Christ.
“from such withdraw thyself”…This is referring to teachers of the law, not to brothers and sisters in Christ who need instruction in grace.
Vs. 6-12… But godliness with contentment is great gain. [7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. [8] And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. [9] But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. [10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. [11] But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. [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.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain”...According to Phil. 4:19, God will supply our need (not needs) in Christ Jesus. Everything we really need spiritually has already been given to the believer in Christ Jesus (Eph. 1:3). It is not that we are “living for the Lord”; it is the Lord through us… When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Col. 3:4)
“But thou, O man of God, flee these things”… What things? (vs.3-4) We have a temptation to evaluate our message by numbers: how many are coming to hear and how much money are we collecting. That is using the wrong standard of evaluating our ministry. Flee those things which are Biblical things, Scriptural things but they are not Dispensational things. Preachers to this day are committed to teaching a combination of the Law Program and the Kingdom Program. A core belief is that God will physically bless you if you obey Him. That is why vs. 7-10 warns grace believers about the temptation of serving the “god of mammon” (material goods). The law involves numbers (people and money). Paul tells Timothy to run from this kind of thinking. There is a power in law that can control you and can trap you. The only solution is to flee these things. I want the numbers to grow among grace believers, but I must not compromise the message of grace.
The following list of inner man qualities are associated with our STATE not our STANDING. It is a part of our CONDITION not our POSITION. As we study and pray about our Standing/Position, it will result in a change in our State/Condition:
“follow after righteousness”…If I am already righteous in Jesus Christ, why do I have to follow after it? Is that not a works based salvation? No!!! “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” (I Cor. 1:30). It means we are to follow after who we already are in Jesus Christ. Studying the Word of God rightly divided will reveal our true identity in Him: we are new creatures, ambassadors of reconciliation, servants of the Lord, regenerated, a saint, a member of the church the body of Christ, Holy Spirit baptized and circumcised, seated with Christ in heavenly places, etc.
“godliness”… Paul just defined godliness for Timothy in verses 5 & 6. Godliness is not god-like-ness, it is god-life-ness. Is God living His life through you?
“faith”… This means to spend time in the Bible. Fill your inner man with rightly divided sound doctrine.
“love”…This is the essence of grace motivation. Love is living out of gratitude. The motivation of law is fear.
“patience”…The opportunity to practice patience is rooted in trouble. I want patience but I don’t want to be there when trouble comes. Patience challenges our status quo; it causes us to rethink where we are spiritually and trust to God the spiritual condition of the one we would like to change.
“meekness”…Power under control. This is seen in Ephesians 6:1-4… “fathers provoke not your children to wrath.” Don’t use your position as father to “toy” with those under your care who are commanded by God to obey you.
“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.”… I Timothy 1:18 & II Timothy 4:7 When God placed us in Christ, He provided us with everything we need to fight a good fight of faith. He expects us to do this; this is the norm for grace believers. From God’s perspective everything is in place for a grace believer to do just this, if you choose to do so. God invites us to join Him in a fight. Satan started this fight by declaring…”I will be like the most High”. Satan claims that he has a legitimate right to the worship of all creation. Satan has attacked the program of God in each dispensation. In this dispensation Satan attacks the central grace truth that “Christ is enough”. (Eph. 1:13-14)
Vs. 13-16…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; [14] That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: [15] Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 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.
“ who quickeneth all things…Paul is telling Timothy that we are in a war with Satan and this unsaved world and there is a good chance that it will cost you your life. Don’t worry about it too much---God can “quicken” you (restore your life).
“who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession”… Matthew 16:13 records that Jesus asked His disciples a question---“Who do men say that I am?” If people were to be asked this question today, you would get a variety of answers. Most people do not have the right answer to this question. This is the most important question you will ever need to get the right answer to. Paul refers to the confession of Jesus Christ when He stood before Pontius Pilate on trial in Matthew 26:62-65. Jesus confirmed to Pilate that He is the Son of God. Now you may not be sure that Jesus is God by His answer to Pilate, Mormons, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, and Jehovah Witnesses may not know what Jesus was saying; however, Pilate knew what He said because he exclaims, “he has spoken blasphemy”. Paul is reminding Timothy in vs. 12 & 13 that there is a fight going on in this world system because of the correct answer to the question: “Who do men say that I am?” The world does not agree with the correct answer.
Vs. 14…“That thou keep this commandment”…Don’t ever forsake this “good confession”. The whole of life hangs on comprehending that Jesus Christ is the rightful heir of both heaven and earth; Satan objects to God’s will and has declared war in heaven and earth. The reason we have to fight a good fight is because the world disagrees with God about Jesus and has joined Satan’s army of rebels. Why? Because God’s people have forsaken “this commandment”. The world is an enemy of God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Is God ever going to answer the question of who Jesus is? Yes, He is coming back one more time to give His final answer to that question… “until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ”.
So how do we get the right answer to the question of who Jesus is?
Vs. 14b-15… “until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: [15] Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords… The words “appearing” and “his times” is plural, meaning that Jesus will show His deity on several occasions.
Let’s think about those occasions He has shown and will show He is the blessed and only Potentate:
First “Time”… Jesus showed His deity by coming to earth and taking on man’s greatest enemy---death--- and displayed His power over it. Peter announced this on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2 and the nation and its religious leaders as a whole rejected the clear evidence of Jesus deity.
Second “Time”…Based on Israel’s rejection, God ushered in the dispensation of the grace through the ministry of the Apostle Paul. He announced that God’s Son, Jesus Christ, was instituting a new agency on earth called the church the body of Christ, made of Jews and Gentiles, to be associated with Him in His heavenly ministry (Eph.1:3; 2:5-7) to show to the angelic creatures that Jesus Christ is the rightful ruler of the heavenly places. Jesus will run the heavenly places through the church the body of Christ. Paul confirms this in I Thessalonians 4:13-18 and Philippians 2:5-11. It is important that we recognize the distinction and purpose of each unique group of people. The nation of Israel is associated with the Lord Jesus Christ in His earthly ministry to show to the world that He is the blessed and only Potentate. Israel should have accepted this clear revelation when Jesus rose from the dead. They didn’t and were temporarily set aside by the Lord while He formed a new agency on earth. The church is being formed today and will be used of God to reconcile the heavenly places back to the Lord Jesus Christ (I Thess. 4:13-18). Through us (the church) Jesus Christ is going to show to the angelic creatures in heavenly places that He is the blessed and only Potentate… (Phil. 2:5-11).
Third “Time”…When Jesus was here the first time He was crucified by the “princes of this world”. When He comes back the second time, He will once again show that He is God and He is the rightful heir of the earth. (Isa. 2: 10-12 & 17; Isa. 34:1-8; 63:1-3). God is going to resolve “the controversy” over who is the rightful Potentate of “Zion” (Jerusalem).
There is something every Christian needs to know about the purpose of life---There is a war going on between God and Satan on earth and in the heavenly places as to who is the rightful “ruler of the universe”? Satan claims he is the legitimate heir; God declares Jesus is the rightful heir. (Phil. 2)
Vs. 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.
“Who only hath immortality”…The word mortal means subject to death. According to Romans 5:12 all men are ruled by king death… “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” The only exception to this truth is our Lord Jesus Christ; He is the only One that is immortal. Therefore, if you want immortality you will have to come to Jesus to get it.
I Thessalonians 5:23 describes the composition of man… And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom. 6:12 reveals where our sin nature is located… Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. So sin is a part of our “mortal” body. Because of this fact, Paul spends an entire chapter in I Corinthians dealing with this matter of a sinful body and what God intends to do about it:
I Cor. 15:35-37, 42-44, 49-53... God assures us that we will get a new immortal body at the resurrection/rapture.
Jesus did not always have a body in eternity past; He took himself a body 2,000 years ago… In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. (14) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:1,2,14)
Jesus will always have a physical immortal body according to Hebrews 10:5… Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. (Zech. 13:6)
There are two parts of our inheritance as a Christian that are irrevocable: 1. entrance in to heaven. 2. a new body like Jesus' glorified body… For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: [21] Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Phil. 3:20-21)
“dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see”… Christ dwells in the presence of God the Father, who is exceeding bright light. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: (Psa. 104:2) Because God is a spirit that manifests in exceeding light, no one has ever seen the Father nor can see Him. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (I John 1:5) Remember that Moses asked to see God’s glory in Exodus 33:18-22; His response was that is not possible. Therefore Paul is reminding us that we can not go to the Father on our own; Christ dwells there with the Father and the only access anyone will ever have is through the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank God for Col. 2:10…You are complete in Him and Eph. 1:6…To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Vs. 17-18…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; [18] That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
Here is a huge dispensational distinction. During the dispensation of the kingdom of heaven Jesus required His disciples to give away their wealth; they had to tithe 100%. If you gave away your wealth, you would have it added back to you during the Millennial Kingdom (Luke 18:18). They had a promise that they would be rewarded for giving away their riches (Luke 12:31-34).
Paul says just the opposite in verse 17; Christians are not instructed to give away their wealth.
There are several misconceptions about money: 1. Money is evil. 2. Your level of wealth is an indication of your spiritual condition. (You can be rich and godly and you can also be poor and ungodly). 3. Whatever you are good at doing, you have a right to be compensated for it. 4. Money can buy you peace.
Paul says that there are two temptations to people who are wealthy: 1. Riches can make you high-minded. 2. Fail to see that riches are uncertain.
We are instructed to work hard and be generous stewards of everything God richly gives us to enjoy.
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