1 Timothy 6 and 2 Timothy 1

1 Timothy 6

Verses 2-5 teach something that I think is very true. In fact, the verses in this chapter are as applicable today as they were then. In the early verses, Paul says that if a person cannot accept the words of Christ, it is because of pride. And often there are those who are steeped in pride who, while professing knowledge and having the ability to ask the “right questions,” an argue the good argument, are in reality destitute of the truth and rather than creating peace and enlightenment, they create envy, strife and suspicion.

Two other verses I think are very important for our times. One is verse 6 where he says godliness with contentment is a great gain or blessing. The other is one that we are all very familiar with, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” There is so much pressure in our day to have the latest technology, the best fashions, the nicest cars. I contrast that to when Susan and I were first married. We had practically no furniture, little income, Susan made most of her clothes. Undoubtedly, those were some of the very best and happiest days of our marriage. We had each other and that was all that mattered.



2 Timothy 1

Paul’s second letter to Timothy is the last epistle that Paul probably wrote. It was written about 68 A.D., shortly before his death, and while he was imprisoned by Nero the second time in Rome. Looking at this chapter in reverse order, I am impressed with Onesiphorus who Paul says was not ashamed of his prison chains and ministered to him while he was a prisoner in Rome.

Paul says that all of the church in Asia has now apostatized showing how general the apostasy has become. Paul must sense his impending death and says these wonderful words, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Fear doesn’t come from God. Fear is born out of our own weaknesses or from Satan, or both. The opposite of fear is faith and love. The scriptures say, “Perfect love casteth out all fear.” I know that to be true.

Finally, I’m impressed with how much Paul loves Timothy who he says was taught the gospel by his mother and grandmother, converts of Paul’s, probably from his first mission. Timothy is the first bishop in Ephesus.