I Timothy 1:1-20
1:1-2 Paul begins an epistle this time to an individual: Timothy, a fellow apostle. Timothy began as a child with Paul as his spiritual teacher. Timothy was so dedicated a student to Paul that Paul refers to him affectionately here as a son. The name Timothy, or "Timotheos" means: Honoring God. In this book, Paul explains to Timothy (and us) the message of this philosophy with instructions on how to apply it to our lives and to any churches we may build and maintain in its name.
A series of hopeful prayers from Paul for Timothy and for all of God's children (that means you!).
- Grace From God: That this life run smoothly and wisely along the figurative river of this philosophy.
- Mercy From God: That God find forgiveness and give empathy to His fallible but well-meaning children.
- Peace From God: That internally and externally serenity surround us, enabling us to be comforted, happy, hopeful, faithful, observant and brave.
1:3-4 It is imperative that the core message of this faith is preserved and exemplified. Paul cautions of entanglement, the mixing of the core values of this faith with other ideologies. The core of this faith is compassion, justice, truth and wisdom. Paul reminds us to never become blinded or misdirected by ideologies that are only superficially linked to this one.
The health and well-being of all of humanity is dependent on our ability to cultivate the aforementioned compassion, justice, truth and wisdom. Paul is aware of how frequently it happens and therefore reminds us to never become distracted by people, ideas and institutions with corrupted or hypocritical motives. Many in the world use religion as a vehicle to gain their own wealth, fame and power. Paul reminds us to be vigilant for these things.
1:5 In this verse Paul makes known to us (if we did not already know or guess) the intention of God's plan: Love. Love is a natural teacher. When we love a thing, animal or person, we automatically dedicate ourselves to their well-being. Love takes care of the life within living things, animals and people. God wants us to understand that if we all learn to love all, we will fulfill every need in the world with joy and health.
Paul also gives us the equation: Pure Heart + Good Conscience + Sincere Faith = Love. Meaning that when we walk through life with a pure heart (good intention), good conscience (contentment from doing and being our best), and sincere faith (trusted instruction from God) we journey toward love.
1:6-7 The Bible reiterates that we must be consistent in our faith, works, words, thoughts and actions. People become distracted or lazy and it leads to ignorance, apathy, lethargy and ultimately selfishness which leads to greed and evil.
We are told an almost uncountable amount of times to test our teachers' and religious leaders' authenticity. Paul explains that people (and authoritative figures of religion) lose the core concepts of this philosophy and commit contradictory crimes against it. For example: ostentatious celebrations, accumulation of wealth, breaches of authority, superiority, fear-mongering and hypocrisy.
Timothy is a fellow-worker with God. Timothy teaches God's word and Paul implores and instructs Timothy to always hold onto the core concepts of this faith as he does so. This is a humble and hard-working faith and as students and children of it, we must live up to its standards and good, honest and generous character.
1:8-11 At this conception of this philosophy of faith in the world, there become a struggle between law and faith. Paul explains that law is not to be abandoned, for it protects the core concepts of faith. Law is meant to be used to reign in the unkind and unjust. Law is not meant to control the kind and just.
1:12 Although there are many of them, perhaps Paul's greatest characteristic is his humble faith. Paul never stops feeling blessed, lucky, overjoyed to be a participant and propeller of God's compassion. Paul is so awed by God's love and His plan for the world that he feels honored to be a part of it. Let yourself bask in the same glory, for although God not may have your complete trust... you have His. He placed you down here because He believed that you deserved and were capable of this great opportunity.
1:13 God welcomes and encourages you toward joining Him despite any flaws you might have or mistakes you may have made. He trusts you among His family and with His heart... is there any greater trust than that?
1:14 Paul explains what happened to him and what will happen to you when you follow, trust and love God: His grace is poured out on you abundantly. His faith is poured out on you abundantly. His love is poured out on you abundantly.
1:15-16 Paul uncovers and explains God's plan through Paul for His children: God's wholehearted hope is that every one of His children knows and feels that He is accessible to them. In order to get that message across, God reached out to Paul, a former persecutor of this faith and welcomed him into the family. What worse can you do than go directly, vehemently against God and His philosophy? Yet Paul found redemption and peace and purpose in God and now lives as a testimony of God's mercy and love for all souls.
Those who see God's immense patience might be encouraged to believe in His plan of compassion and therefore would make the personal decision walk through the door of eternal life. Compassion is the secret password, so to speak, the admittance fee. Paul found compassion within himself, began to live and love and breathe and work for this faith and he therefore "paid" his admittance fee.
1:17 A description of our God: Kind, Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, Only, Honorable, Glorious. You can certainly trust your life with an entity like that.
1:18 Paul writes to Timothy to encourage and reinforce his good work and good faith in that he may "fight the battle well." And isn't that what we all want to be able to manage to do? To fight in the battle against injustice as a competent and courageous victor. To do this, we need God and we have Him when we are consistent in our faith and compassion.
1:19 Paul reminds Timothy (and us) that lose of faith is like a shipwreck. We are vessels moving throughout the earth like ships and God is our sail. Many have discarded the Sail of their ship (let go of God, compassion and justice) and have thereby decreased the quality of their lives. Maintain your Sail, Paul cautions and encourages... it will make all the difference.
1:20 God allows for the repercussions of our own decisions. When we give into evil and unkindness, evil and unkindness become our masters. Paul hands the evil over to these masters (Satan, the qualities and manifestations of greed, selfishness, evil, vengeance, violence, injustice) in that because they chose to be servants of these things, it is allowed.
