Peter Misselbrook's Blog
Jul 4 2020 - Introduction to the Pastoral Epistles and to 1 Timothy

The training of Timothy 

Timothy is first mentioned in Acts 16:1-3. Paul was on his second missionary journey to Derbe and Lystra when Timothy was brought to his attention as one who might be a suitable helper in his work. Timothy may have been converted through Paul's ministry during his first missionary journey (see 1 Timothy 1:2). When Jews from Thessalonica arrived at Berea, stirring up such trouble that Paul had to leave. He left Timothy and Silas behind that they might instruct the new converts in their faith. This indicates the confidence Paul placed in Timothy.

Along with Silas, Timothy was with Paul for the 18 months or so of his ministry at Corinth. It was probably during this time that Paul wrote 1 & 2 Thessalonians, both of which are stated to be from "Paul, Silas and Timothy." Timothy had been involved in ministry at Thessalonica while Paul was at Athens (1 Thess 3:1-3). During his third missionary journey Paul spent the best part of three years at Ephesus (Acts 19:8,10; 20:31). Timothy is named as co-author of the prison letters of Paul to Philippians and Colossians – which we have suggested were written from Ephesus. During this time Timothy was sent to Corinth (1 Cor 4:17; 16:10-11), into a difficult situation which Paul was seeking to deal with by letter and by emissary. Paul's second letter to the Corinthians also includes Timothy along with Paul as sender (2 Cor 1:1).

Historical Setting of the Pastorals According to their own Testimony 

Acts is silent on the matter of the outcome of Paul's trial in Rome. The Pastoral Epistles suggest that Paul was released from his imprisonment. We know that Paul had hoped and planned to travel from Rome to Spain (Rom 15:24), and Clement of Rome, writing in about 96AD, states that Paul's ministry reached the limits of the West (1 Clem 5:5-7), i.e., further west than Rome, maybe to the straits of Gibraltar. The Muratorian Canon of 180 AD states that Paul travelled from Rome to Spain. The Pastoral Epistles are silent about any journey to Spain but do suggest that Paul made a journey to Crete, the island to which he later sent Titus. Paul may have travelled first to Crete and later to Spain, or first to Spain spending only a short time there before going to Crete with Titus.

While travelling to Crete Paul passed through Macedonia where he met up with Timothy (1 Tim 1:3). This may be the tearful visit referred to in 2 Tim 1:4, especially if it was the first time Timothy had met with Paul since his release from prison in Rome. Perhaps Timothy had left Ephesus and travelled to discuss the problems there with Paul. Timothy was sent back to Ephesus by Paul to continue his ministry – suggesting that he was far from the timid young man some have suggested. Some time later Paul wrote the letter we know as 1 Timothy.

Paul stayed in Crete sufficient time for opposition to develop, leaving Titus behind to continue the work in a similarly difficult situation to that faced by Timothy in Ephesus. Paul wrote to Titus (probably at much the same time as he wrote 1 Timothy), sending the letter by the hand of Zenus and Apollos who were travelling through the area. At that time Paul was not certain whom he might send to replace Titus, it might be Artemas or Tychicus (Titus 3:12-13). As soon as he could send relief, Paul wants Titus to come and meet him in Nicopolis where he had decided to spend the winter. Tychicus eventually seems to have replaced Timothy at Ephesus so that he might travel to Rome (2 Tim 4:2). Titus, meanwhile, may have managed to meet up with Paul (probably therefore relieved by Artemas). Later, we find that he is working in Dalmatia (2 Tim 4:10).

By the time Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy he was back in prison in Rome (2 Tim 1:8,17; 2:9). Mounce thinks that the arrest might have been instigated by Alexander, "the name Alexander is Ephesian, and he may have instigated the arrest as a personal vendetta because Paul had excommunicated him (1 Tim 1:20; 2 Tim 4:14)." It is possible that Paul never reached Nicopolis but was arrested en route and taken to Rome or that, having visited Nicopolis he got as far as Miletus (on his way to visit Timothy at Ephesus?) before being arrested, Trophimus being left behind sick (2 Tim 4:20). Paul may have abandoned his cloak and parchments on the way through Troas (2 Tim 4:13). Erastus accompanied Paul as far as Corinth (2 Tim 4:20).

Paul's second imprisonment in Rome appears to have been far more severe than the house arrest of his first imprisonment. Mounce writes: "Onesiphorus had to search diligently before finding Paul (2 Tim 1:17), who was imprisoned as a serious criminal (2 Tim 2:9). His lack of shame at Paul's chains, Paul's encouragement to Timothy that he too not be ashamed, all the Asian Christians abandoning Paul, and the abandonment of Demas, one of Paul's inner circle, all suggest the seriousness of the imprisonment. The presence of Luke, a physician, and Paul's desire for a warm cloak may also point to a difficult imprisonment (although Luke was also a friend and winter was coming). Paul's eulogy and his admission of impending death (2 Tim 4:6-8, 18) show that he knew he would not be released." Paul urged Timothy to come to him at Rome, bringing Mark with him. Mark may also have been at Ephesus. Tradition records that Paul was beheaded under the Neronian persecution that began in 65 AD – perhaps, if Eusebius is to be believed, in 67 AD.

1 Timothy

Mounce draws particular attention to Paul's words to the Ephesian elders recorded in Acts 20:18b-35 and to the parallels with the Pastoral Epistles, suggesting that Paul foresaw the very problems that were later to arise. "People from within the congregation had risen up in opposition to Paul and the gospel (Acts 20:30). Their teaching was loosely based on Jewish mythical reinterpretation of the law and its genealogies, with probably a strong influence of Hellenistic thought and possibly proto-gnostic error. They had divorced doctrine from behaviour, paving the way for licentiousness and greed."

There is an emphasis on church governance in the letter because it is addressing specific historical issues arising from poor leadership. The emphasis is not so much on the doctrine of the leaders or on church structure but on personal character, conduct and understanding of the gospel.

Paul writes to encourage Timothy to stay at Ephesus and deal with the significant and difficult issues that had arisen and to provide authoritative instruction on how the household of God was to conduct itself. Paul also reminds Timothy of how he is to conduct himself and what he is to teach. The underlying purpose of the letter is to encourage Timothy in his work and to provide him with Paul's authority in his fight against opponents.

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Jul 4 2019 - Jonah 2 – Prayer from the belly of the fish

Never has there been a stranger place of prayer than that of Jonah in this chapter; "From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God" (Jonah 2:1). The prayer appears to be one of thanksgiving. Within the fish, Jonah realises that the Lord has saved him; he has not drowned;

The engulfing waters threatened me,
   the deep surrounded me;
   seaweed was wrapped around my head.
To the roots of the mountains I sank down;
   the earth beneath barred me in forever.
But you, LORD my God,
   brought my life up from the pit…

Those who cling to worthless idols
   turn away from God’s love for them.
But I, with shouts of grateful praise,
   will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
   I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’ (vv. 5-6, 8-9)

Jonah rejoices that he knows the living God. His God is not like the worthless idols worshipped by so many, idols which cannot see or speak or help. Jonah had known and felt the reality of God's power in the storm at sea. He had felt the reality of God's judgment as he was thrown from the boat to sink in the waves. And Jonah knows God's power now – his saving power in response to Jonah's prayer of repentance and faith. His God is the living God who hears and answers prayer. He has saved Jonah from drowning and will continue to save him; "Salvation comes from the Lord."

In answer to Jonah's prayer, "the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land" (v. 10). How does God's strange answer to Jonah's prayer encourage you to come before God with your prayers and thanksgiving?

Who would have thought that being swallowed by a great fish was a saving act of God! Have there been times in your experience when you seemed engulfed by deep trouble, yet you can now see that this very situation was designed and used of God for your blessing and learning? How have you proved that "Salvation comes from the Lord"? How will you testify to God's power both in his judgment and in his salvation?

Have you ever felt that you have failed God and are no longer worthy to serve him? Jonah is soon to find out that God still has a purpose for him. In grace, God does not decide to use someone else for his mission to Nineveh. God is pleased to use those who sometimes – maybe even often – fail him. His work is dependent upon his own power and grace at work in us not upon our own capabilities and track record. His power is made perfect in our weakness.

Saviour God, I thank you that the Lord Jesus was buried in the dark earth and rose again on the third day to bring the light of salvation to those that sit in darkness. Help me to know that wherever I may be and whatever I may face – even dark situations of my own making – the Saviour is always with me and I am in his safekeeping, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Help me to testify to your saving goodness – even with shouts of grateful praise.

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Jul 4 2020 - 1 Timothy 1:1-20 – Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners

Saul the Pharisee had spent his life devoted to exact and exacting law keeping. He looked for God to come and save his people Israel; he looked for God to come and rescue them from the hand of foreign occupation and for him to re-establish his kingly reign in Israel. The Pharisees reasoned that if the kingdom had been lost through disobedience, surely, if Israel would only be obedient to God's covenant demands he would return to save and bless them. A later tradition asserted that if every Israelite would only keep the Sabbath perfectly on one Sabbath, then the Messiah would come.

But Saul's encounter with the risen Lord Jesus on the Damascus road changed everything – including his name. Paul now knew that Jesus, the man crucified at the hands of the Romans, had been owned by God to be the Christ, for God had raised him from the dead – he is the Lord Jesus Christ. And he knew that, far from his law keeping making him obedient to God, he had been the greatest of sinners for he had opposed the work of God, blasphemed the name of God's Christ and had persecuted the people of God. His whole world had been turned upside down.

But he had also discovered another revolutionary truth. "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15). Through his encounter with the risen Christ, Paul discovered through personal experience the truth which Jesus had spoken to Pharisees during his earthly ministry, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Luke 5:31-32).

For Paul, this discovery was more than personal experience; it was a call to mission. If God could save him, the worst of sinners, he can save anyone. Paul was commissioned by the risen Christ to preach this good news to all who would listen. And along with his message, he stands as living proof of the grace of God; a demonstration of the power of God to save (1:16).

The world is full of slick salesmen trying to sell the latest gizmo. Words can be cheap, and claims often prove empty. But there is no denying the testimony of a transformed life; it is powerful and incontrovertible (remember Acts 4:16).

And so Paul travelled around the Mediterranean world with this message: God is now establishing his kingdom in the world through Jesus the Christ, God’s anointed king. And not only did he preach this message, he devoted time to training up others to help with the work of making Christ known. Timothy is one such helper whom Paul had trained. He has been left to minister to the church at Ephesus and Paul instructs him to encourage the church to focus upon Christ and the wonderful salvation that is found in him rather than being distracted through endless foolish controversies.

Paul’s concern for the churches, for the work of the gospel and for the glory of Christ is summed up in the benediction of 1:17: "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen"

Yes Lord, we add our “Amen” to that of the apostle Paul. We thank you that your salvation has touched our lives and that you have brought us out of darkness into the kingdom of your dear Son. We want all the world to know that Jesus Christ is Lord and to enjoy the freedom of living under his reign of grace. Help us to declare his praises not only as we speak about him but also through the power of lives transformed by your Spirit and lived to the glory of your name.

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Peter Misselbrook