Questions

Scriptural Reflection
1 Timothy 2:8–15

This week we will continue the study of the Book of 1 Timothy in the New Testament. 

As Paul urges the church to intercede for the world, and especially for the rulers (2:1-7), he continues to address what appears to be problems associated with pubic worship in the church of Ephesus, likely connected to the influence of the false teachers referred to in chapter 1.

(1) It was the practice for men to pray with uplifted hands in those days.

a. Why does Paul emphasize that we need to lift up “holy” hands?

b. Why does Paul emphasize that prayers should be offered without anger and dispute?

1. What are prayers offered in anger and dispute like?
2. Will God hear such prayers? Why or why not?
3. Why is this reminder directed to men?

(2) We need to read v. 9 with the culture of the time in mind:

a. Whether it is about dress, hairdo or jewelry, Paul’s emphasis is on “decency and propriety”. How may this be applied to us today?

b. Why is it so important for “women who profess to worship God” to adorn themselves as Paul has urged them to?

(3) Given the culture of the time and the fact that women in general did not receive education as men did, what do you see as the wisdom behind Paul’s exhortation in vv. 11-12? (See Note below.)

(4) However, beyond their cultural setting, Paul uses Adam and Eve as the basis of his admonition. What is the point Paul is asserting by pointing out the following?

a. Adam was created before Eve.

b. It was Eve who was deceived (while Adam did not exercise his authority but listened to Eve).

(5) A literal translation of v. 15 might be helpful: “But she will be saved through her childbearing, if they remain in faith and love and sanctification with sobriety”:

a. If “will be saved” refers to salvation, is a man saved in a different way than that for a woman? (Gal. 3:26-28)

b. Does salvation depend on works? (Eph. 2:8-9)

c. Therefore, “will be saved” should not have anything to do with salvation, but logically with the immediate context — the fact that Eve was being deceived into sinning. Consider the following questions as applied to those married women within Timothy’s congregation:

1. What impact would they have on their children, if they focus on bringing them up with their examples of faith, love, sanctification and sobriety?
2. How might such a focus help them not to repeat the sin of Eve?

(6) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Note:

The teaching about women being silent during worship is consistent with Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, but it appears not to be an absolute as Paul does allow women to pray and prophesy (or preach) in 1 Corinthians 11:1-16. The intention in both places appears to be the maintenance of an orderly service and to remind women, given their new-found freedom in Christ, to be mindful of their proper place, especially within their culture.

Scriptural Reflection
1 Timothy 3:1–7

It is important to note that Paul is not giving Timothy instructions to set up overseers or deacons — they appear to be in place. Rather, he is providing ongoing guidance, perhaps to prevent false-teachers from entering the leadership. The first category of leaders addressed by Paul is the “Overseers”. These, in Acts 20, refer to the “elders" (see Acts 20:17, 28). Note that the Apostle Peter is also called an “elder” (1 Pet. 5:1).

(1) Is it right or is it wrong to “desire” to be a leader like an “overseer” or “elder” of a church? Why?

(2) The over-riding principle that heads the list of qualifications is that one be “above reproach”:

a. What does it mean?

b. Is it possible or practical? Why or why not?

Let’s carefully consider each of these qualifications that follow:

(3) Husband of but one wife

a. Why does it follow immediately after the above over-riding principle?

b. I find the best commentary of this qualification is “one-woman kind of man”. Do you agree?

(4) Temperate

a. What does it mean?

b. How important is it to being an elder?

(5) Self-controlled

a. Over what?

b. How important is it to being an elder?

(6) Respectable

a. According to whom?

b. How important is it to being an elder?

(7) Hospitable

a. What does being an elder have to do with being hospitable?

b. What if he is not?

(8) Able to teach (this is the only “non-character” related qualification)

a. How does it reflect on the role of an elder? (see Tit. 1:9-10)

(9) Not given to drunkenness

a. Why does drunkenness disqualify a person from secular leadership?

b. What then does it say about spiritual leadership?

(10) Not violent but gentle

a. How important is it to being an elder?

(11) Not quarrelsome

a. How important was this qualification in weeding out false teachers at the time? (see 6:4)

b. How important is it to being an elder?

(12) Not a lover of money

a. How important is this qualification in weeding out false teachers at the time? (see 6:5)

b. How important is it to being an elder?

(13) Manages his own family well

a. Given the absolute authority that a father had at the time, how will failure in this area reflect on the character of the person?

b. How important is it to being an elder?

(14) Not a recent convert

a. How important is it to being an elder?

b. What if there is no one to fill such a position?

(15) Good outside reputation

a. What reputation does it refer to?

b. How important is it to being an elder?

(16) Re-read this list of “qualifications” carefully.

a. Can you distinguish the “spiritual” qualifications from the rest?

b. What might be the qualifications that people would also demand from someone holding public office, like a prime minister or a president?

c. What might you add to this list, if you are to select an elder (one who, in the 1^st century, like Peter, is part of the pastoral leadership of a church)?

(17) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
1 Timothy 3:8–13

Paul addresses the qualifications of another group of leaders in the church, namely the deacons.

(1) The word, deacon (in Greek) is first used in Acts 6:1-6. Read that passage in Acts 6 and see who they were, why they were needed and what qualified them for their task?

[It appears that over time, as churches were established in various places, this term was used for the office of another tier of leaders in the church separate from and presumably under the leadership of the overseers (see Phil. 1:1)].

(2) Compare this list of qualifications with that of the overseers:

a. What is missing from this current list?

b. Given the likely non-teaching and non-pastoral nature of the office of deacons, do these omissions make sense? Why or why not?

c. Why then should the following be repeated?

1. Respected
2. Not a drunkard
3. Not a pursuer of dishonest gain (similar to not being a lover of money)
4. Husband of one wife
5. Managing children well

(3) The additional qualifications for deacons include:

a. Sincere (or not double-tongue)

1. How important is this to being a deacon (one who carries out other important ministries apart from preaching and teaching)?

b. Holding deep truths (or mystery) of faith with a clear or clean conscience

1. Why does Paul refer to our faith as a “mystery”?
2. Why do we need to hold it with a clear conscience?
3. How important is it to being a deacon?

c. Must be tested

1. How are they to be tested?
2. Why do they need to be tested?

(4) Commentators in general translate v. 11 as "deaconesses” rather than "wives". Of the various qualifications (of overseers and of deacons), why are the following being emphasized for them in particular?

a. Worthy of respect

b. Not malicious talkers

c. Temperate

d. Trustworthy

(5) As Paul commends those who aspire to serve as an overseer (3:1), he affirms also those who serve well (specifically as deacons) in that they will gain (or acquire) an excellent standing (original meaning is a step) and great assurance (or much boldness) in their faith. Through your own experience in serving the Lord, what have you gained that might explain the meaning of these two results of serving well?

(6) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
1 Timothy 3:14–15

(1) In your reading of this letter so far, can you sum up the challenges faced by Timothy in the church of Ephesus?

(2) What disadvantages might Timothy have in being the pastor of the church in Ephesus in Paul’s absence? (see 4:12 as well)?

(3) How will this letter help Timothy?

(4) The entire letter basically deals with church life:

a. Why is the church called "God’s household" by Paul?

b. What makes up a household?

c. When Paul talks about how people conduct themselves in God’s household, what might it include?

d. What should the implications to us be in realizing that the church is God’s household?

(5) In addition to being God’s household, Paul says it is "the church of the living God":

a. What does it mean?

b. What should the implications to us be in realizing that it is the church of the living God?

(6) Furthermore, Paul says, it is the pillar and foundation of the truth:

a. What is meant by truth? (See Jn. 1:14, 17; 8:32; 14:6 and 17:17)

b. What does being pillar and foundation of truth mean?

c. Is it correct then to say that “there is no truth outside of the church? Why or why not?

d. How then will the world know “the truth” is Jesus Christ?

(7) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
1 Timothy 3:16

This is such a great creedal hymn that I believe deserves our careful reflection:

(1) Paul begins this hymn by saying (or entitling it) “The mystery of godliness”.

a. The immediate context is about the church being the pillar and foundation of the truth. How is it related to the mystery of godliness?

b. What might have caused Paul to explode into such a great hymn about Jesus Christ?

c. Why does he call it a mystery?

(2) Paul describes our Lord Christ Jesus all in passive voice. What might be his message?

(3) He was manifested in flesh

a. How unthinkable is it that God would become and then, especially, “was manifested” in flesh?

b. What does this speak of Christ with respect to His humility? His sacrifice? His Love? His reaching down to seek us? Or…? Why?

(4) He was vindicated (justified) by the Spirit

a. Why did Christ need vindication?

b. How was He vindicated by the Spirit? (See Ephesus 1:19-21)

(5) He was seen by angels

a. What impact does Christ’s incarnation and His work of salvation have on the angels? (see 1 Pet. 1:12)

(6) He was proclaimed among the nations (Gentiles)

a. When Paul wrote this hymn, how far had the gospel been proclaimed?

b. How far has the gospel been proclaimed now?

c. Whom has He used to do this proclamation?

(7) He was believed on in the world

a. Which is the religion with the most adherents today? (You may want to do a google search)

b. What has been the reason(s) for Christ being believed in by both rich and poor, learned and unlearned and people of all races?

(8) He was taken up in glory

a. What has Christ achieved with His resurrection? (1 Cor. 15:20, 22-23)

b. How does Philippians 2:6-10 depict His path to glory?

(9) Do you agree with Paul that “Beyond all questions, the mystery of godliness is great”? Why?

(10) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
1 Timothy 4:1–10

We have reflected on the two lists of qualifications for church leaders in the last chapter, and they are really very basic qualifications which the secular world might also demand from their leaders. Here, the Apostle Paul gives a list of the spiritual qualities demanded of a “good minister of Christ Jesus” (4:6), prefacing it with the mark of the “later times”:

The mark of “later times”:

(1) What is the mark of the “later times” according to v. 1? What might you understand as the meaning of “later times”?

(2) While false teachings are taught by “hypocritical liars”, what are the true sources of such teachings?

(3) What makes them “hypocritical liars”?

(4) Two features of their false teachings are mentioned (which are the marks of Gnosticism):

a. What makes their teaching of forbidding marriage attractive?

b. What’s wrong with such a teaching?

c. What makes their teaching of food abstinence attractive?

d. What’s wrong with such a teaching?

e. How does v.5 affirm saying grace before a meal?

Be a good minister (or deacon): The Apostle Paul uses 12 “imperatives” to urge Timothy to be a good minister, in contrast to the false teachers:

(5) What is the foundation of a good minister according to v. 6?

(6) 1^st imperative: Refuse (or have nothing to do with)—v. 7

a. What are godless myths and old-wives tales?

b. Why would a minister be tempted to use the above to teach?

(7) 2^nd imperative: Exercise (or to train)—v. 8

a. Why do people pay so much attention to exercise these days?

b. How do you exercise your body these days?

c. Compare the benefits and importance of physical exercise to that of the spirit.

d. How then can you exercise your “godliness”?

e. How important it is for a minister or deacon of Jesus Christ?

(8) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
1 Timothy 4:10–16

Be a good minister (or deacon): We have considered the first two imperatives yesterday; we shall continue to reflect on the rest today.

(1) In the middle of setting out the imperatives, having mentioned about to need to refuse biblically baseless teachings and the need to exercise our godliness, Paul injects another “trustworthy saying” here:

a. What is this saying?

b. What has this to do with being a good minister of Jesus Christ?

(2) 3^rd and 4^th imperatives: Charge and teach—v. 11

a. It appears to refer back to the truths of faith and good teaching of v.6, but why use such a strong word, "to charge"?

(3) 5^th imperative: Don’t let anyone despise—v. 12

a. Why would people in Ephesus look down on Timothy?

b. What might be the reason you are being despised today?

c. What is our normal reaction to being despised?

(4) 6^th imperative: Become or set an example—v. 12

a. Why does Paul use the word, “become”?

b. Why is this a proper response to being despised?

c. Describe the significance of setting an example in each of these:

1. Speech
2. Life; What does it mean?
3. Love
4. Faith; How?
5. Purity

(5) 7^th imperative: Devote yourself—v. 13

a. What is meant by to devote?

b. Of all things, why does Paul highlight being devoted to the following?

1. Public reading of Scripture (bear in mind that not everyone had access to scrolls of Scriptures at home)
2. Preaching
3. Teaching

c. Why does he emphasize, “Until I come”?

(6) 8^th imperative: Do not neglect—v. 14

a. How was Timothy’s gift or calling imparted? (see 1:18 also)

b. How important is it to have a very clear calling for the ministry in which we serve?

c. Do you?

(7) 9^th and 10^th imperative: Be diligent and give wholly—v. 15

a. The 9^th imperative may best be translated “to meditate” (TNTC, 110). What does it mean?

b. This 10^th imperative is literally “to be in them”—what does it mean? (or some would translate, “to immerse” in them—what do you think?)

(8) 11^th imperative: Take heed (or watch)—v. 16

a. What is Timothy to watch over?

b. How important is each?

(9) 12^th imperative: Persevere—v. 16

a. Of all the imperatives above, which is the one hardest to persevere in?

b. Which are the ones that you need to pay the most attention to?

(10) Compare these 12 imperatives with the two lists of qualifications in the last chapter and see if you can compile a meaningful list of qualifications for church leaders?

(11) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?