Book of the Hebrews

[1 Timothy 5:3-8] Support widows who are genuinely widows. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God. The real widow, left all alone, has put her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers; however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. Command this also, so they won’t be blamed. But if anyone does not provide for his own, that is his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Well, this does go a couple of different directions:

One direction is quite obvious: to be accountable for one’s family to the extent that it is possible, based upon resources. It would appear that the issue of taking care of one’s family resonates over time and in most cultures. Of course, with larger intact families the support would be easier because of a greater number of employable sons. Those left without sons, and without resources, were it seems, outcasts. Today the extended family is much looser and less intact with many members likely to be on assistance rather than working. The issue with widows and widowers without family remains the same …

The other direction this goes is to personal, familial and community responsibility. And this is where Jesus helped us transform the law (which was supportive of the poor even then) and placed the burden more squarely on communities rather than individuals or families.

Of course, the other looming issue is the squandering of resources and the misrepresentation of one’s needs which seems to be epidemic in these latter days. It is probably unrealistic, in our culture, for an older widowed individual to mourn for the remainder of their lives; so, the focus must be on living a life that glorifies God and is not obsessive or largely self-indulgent. The focus of someone who has suffered a loss must be on Jesus, a faithful life, and not on death.

[1 Timothy 5:9-16] No widow should be placed on the official support list unless she is at least 60 years old, has been the wife of one husband, and is well known for good works that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints’ feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to every good work. But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry and will therefore receive condemnation because they have renounced their original pledge. At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say. Therefore, I want younger women to marry, have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us. For some have already turned away to follow Satan. If any believing woman has widows in her family, she should help them, and the church should not be burdened, so that it can help those who are genuinely widows.

Now we wade into what seems to be a very contemporary dilemma of whom to support and what criteria should be used to determine eligibility. We are actually blessed today because of the proliferation of agencies and institutional resources that can provide help at a magnitude that the church itself cannot bear. Today the sheer number of orphaned, marginalized, homeless and mentally ill require expert intervention, and this is easier for a village than for a single church or household.

In the small flock I led during the time this study was written, we realized that we as an independent worship and study experience, could not be everything to everyone and did not have the resources to provide wrap around support for individuals or families. But, we did understand what we did best: we proclaimed the Lordship of Jesus, offered weekly meals and made provision for caring and referral. Alone we can do a little, but by partnering with other experts and communities we can make a difference (one soul at a time).

Be genuine, stay sober, turn from Satan, and take small steps toward real progress. In God’s time you will be transformed and you will know success in the Spirit ...

[1 Timothy 5:17-20] The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain, and, the worker is worthy of his wages. * Don’t accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will also be afraid.

* (Deuteronomy 25:4 and Luke 10:7)

While I think it is appropriate to pay reasonable wages for the work of good leaders and qualified elders, it is not required. Though compensation of some sort is probably better than relying completely on charity, there is not a decent substitute for being led by someone who is not dependent upon the congregation for a living wage. It is far healthier that a congregation might barter with a non -monetary resource rather than pay outright. I believe that circuit riders in the 19th century were compensated by offerings of food, shelter and so forth. This is far healthier for both the elder and the congregation. The reference to not muzzling an ox (from Deuteronomy) and a worker being worthy of a wage (Luke from the words of Jesus) suggest that compensation is Scriptural. But, I ask you, what about the work of the Spirit?

I am in full agreement that an accusation against an elder must not be the concoction of one disenchanted individual, but must bear the weight of evidence. Otherwise the Devil might get a foothold and oust many a strong leader!

The public rebuke discussed here is not public humiliation as unbelievers would expect, but an example of accountability, consequence and forgiveness.

[1 Timothy 5:21--25] I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism. Don’t be too quick to appoint anyone as an elder, and don’t share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. Don’t continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. Some people’s sins are obvious, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others surface later. Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.

Paul concludes [what would later be] the first 5 chapters of his letter with a summary about elders; elders who would ultimately be instructors, guardians and examples to the flock. This opens the door to a conclusion to his first letter with words of encouragement and a warning:

 You are charged with these instructions, to apply them without prejudice

 Do nothing out of favoritism

 Do not be hasty in appointing elders or other leadership

 Do not share in the sins of others

 Remain pure

It is worth noting that Paul suggests “a little wine” for Timothy, and does not confuse that with remaining pure. I believe we can also support that today. If you are not addicted, “a little wine” does no harm and may do some good. However, also be aware that drunkenness was well known in those days, and Scripture in both the Old and New Testament writing warns against it.

Timothy, it seems, had digestive issues, and the water was helping his condition. This would not have been an uncommon medical condition for the time.

Sin is slippery, however, what is hidden will not remain hidden; the consequence of sinful behavior will always come to light.

[1 Timothy 6:1-5] All who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters1 to be worthy of all respect, so that God’s name and His teaching will not be blasphemed. Those who have believing masters should not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers, but should serve them better, since those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.

Teach and encourage these things. If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness, he is conceited, understanding nothing, but has a sick interest in disputes and arguments over words. From these come envy, quarreling, slander, evil suspicions, and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a way to material gain.

We serve our Master whose yoke is light and whose domain is just and even-handed. As “slaves” we are respectful of our true Master because we know that we are purchased by Him with His own blood; otherwise we will surely be subdued by a malicious overlord and handed over to be tortured. We are respectful and serve our Master the best we know how because we know that we are loved. And we are motivated by love ...

If anyone teaches another doctrine, that is to say, a doctrine of unsound and divisive teaching … a doctrine other than the good news of Jesus Christ … then we can say with authority:

 That this person is un-Godly,

 Conceited,

 Understands nothing,

 Has a sick interest in disputes

 And who imagines that Godliness is a way to material gain.

[1 Timothy 6:6-10] But godliness with contentment is a great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. *

But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.

But what about a strong faith that provides contentment and true peace? We must be at peace with the knowledge that since we came into the world with nothing that anything we gain is a gift; and, that if we at least have food and shelter for a day that we were never promised more than that. It isn’t that we won’t have more but that we must have a grateful heart; we must not fall into the snare of believing we somehow deserve more and more and still more.

Jesus tells us that tomorrow has troubles of its own, and those troubles we can do nothing about today … but what can we do?

 We do not fall into the trap of temptation associated with material gain at the expense of a stronger and more promising spiritual foundation.

 We do not become obsessed with money, or the things it can purchase, because that obsession is the root of evil and disastrous outcomes.

 Through the craving of forbidden fruit many have wandered far from their faith and pierced themselves with many pains.

* (Job 1:21, Psalm 49:17 and Ecclesiastes 5:15)

[1 Timothy 6:11-12] But you, man of God, run from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the faith; take hold of eternal life that you were called to and have made a good confession about in the presence of many witnesses.

Man of God, run , flee and increase your distance from these things that tempt you, create obsession, and inflict great pains ...

Pursue righteousness, Godliness and greater faith by:

Expressing love, endurance and gentleness even if you are met with hate, exhaustion and unbelief;

Fight the good fight which means playing by the rules of the contest, bearing no ill will, and loving your enemies even when you would love to hate them;

Behave like you are living for eternity, with eternal values, unlike those who live for the moment taking pride in pointless battles, and winning no wars;

Live into what you were called to do in the Holy Spirit, making a strong confession of your love for Jesus Christ in the presence of the whole world.

It is clear that we cannot begin to do these impossible tasks without the strength of a supernatural God. There is no way to proclaim hope unless we know the hope that is in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

[1 Timothy 6:13-16] In the presence of God, who gives life to all, and of Christ Jesus, who gave a good confession before Pontius Pilate, I charge you to keep the command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. God will bring this about in His own time. He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, the only One who has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; no one has seen or can see Him, to Him be honor and eternal might. Amen.

Jesus Christ is our ALL and ALL!

All that we say and all that we do is in His presence, and glorifies His presence, by making that presence manifest in us and through us. By His promise in the Gospel of John, He went to prepare a place for us, and He will return in His glory which will be made physically manifest; that glorious return will be announced with trumpets and a with a shout!

I believe His time is now … very soon my friends, very soon now:

 Jesus is the blessed and only Sovereign.

 Jesus is the King of kings.

 Jesus is the only One who has immortality.

 Jesus is dwelling in unapproachable light.

 Jesus is God who remains unseen.

 Jesus is full of honor and eternal might!

[1 Timothy 6:17-21] Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good reserve for the age to come, so that they may take hold of life that is real. Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding irreverent, empty speech and contradictions from the “knowledge” that falsely bears that name. By professing it, some people have deviated from the faith.

Grace be with all of you.

Paul concludes this first letter to his understudy, Timothy, with a gentle reminder that riches, richness and being rich are not things of this world. I think we know that to be true in our hearts, but it’s hard to get away from a culture which reminds us that having material is gain.

We also know that having personal wealth is not a sin unless it obstructs our view and our access to God. For many this has become a religion, and what little faith one obtained has is built upon the weak foundation of things that will rust and material things that moths will devour.

So, the question will be …

What riches will you store up

What riches will you give away, and

What riches do you value more than flesh or bone?

The wisest of the wise, Solomon, writes a rather depressing evaluation of the things which we value, and those which are fleeting … or, as he put it, the result of vain striving. Yet, nothing is in vain if it gives honor and glory to Christ

Jesus in whom and by whom and through whom all things were made.

Appendix on Paul’s patriarchal view of a woman’s role and the way Jesus viewed gender … (from the message December 2019)

A woman’s place, like a man’s place, is to the will of God! So while we explore the nature of gender we will look more closely at a very special and chosen woman: Mary mother of Jesus. As it is the Advent season, and our celebration of the birth of Jesus approaches, it is right that we should look very closely at a woman who was humble, willing and the vessel we and the Lord God adore.

There are many interpretations, understandings and misunderstandings about the place of women in the church. Much of this has stemmed from readings of various epistles by the Apostle Paul, and direct references to the ancient world as a patriarchal construct. Of course there is the unending dialogue about the actions and motivations of Eve (and Adam) in the Garden of Eden.

My conversations have been with men who wholeheartedly believe women have no place in the highest offices of the church, and with others who see no Scriptural evidence in Christ to embrace such an exclusion. And there are those somewhere in the middle. Some of this goes to upbringing, education and then ultimately whether or not tradition itself lines up with Jesus or reflects only the religiosity and insecurity of men in pursuit of power.

I say, what about Mary Magdalene, Jesus’ mother, Mary who was Lazarus’ sister and the Samaritan woman at the well, oh and of course the woman who would be stoned for adultery? These women were not made subservient to men nor placed below men; they were specifically used to glorify Jesus which is not a gender statement. Jesus never indicates that men and women are not equals, but that both men and women are tasked with very different roles, primarily as a team which together is far more powerful than either one separately. My use of a double negative is intentional.

My personal understanding is that Jesus did far more than transform the Scriptures and fulfill their prophecy … He also redefined what it meant to be a human being irrespective of gender, creed or origin. Now, do not get me wrong … gender matters and it is important to embrace that definition of one another because it is the very construct of the vessel we are in until death frees us of its fleshly bonds.