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Topic: 1 Timothy 3:14-16
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Carol Swenson
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It's easy for us to forget what kind of world the first century Christians lived in - brutal and superstitious.
Ephesus, with its 300,000 inhabitants, was the capital city of the Roman province of Asia and its most important commercial center. Thanks to a large harbor, Ephesus grew wealthy on trade; and, thanks to the temple of Diana, it attracted hosts of visitors who wanted to see this building that was one of the seven wonders of the world.
The temple was probably four centuries old in Paul's day. It measured 418 feet by 239 feet, and boasted of 100 columns that stood over 50 feet high. In the sacred enclosure of the temple stood the "sacred image" of Artemis (Diana) that was supposed to have fallen from heaven (Acts .19:35). It was probably a meteorite. Since Artemis was a fertility goddess, cultic prostitution was an important part of her worship, and hundreds of "priestesses" were available in the temple.
God enabled Paul to perform "special miracles" because Ephesus was a center for the occult (Acts 19:18-19), and Paul was demonstrating God's power right in Satan's territory.
In Acts 19:23 Satan attacked, not as the deceiver (2 Cor. 11:3-4), but as the destroyer (1 Peter 5:8), and the murderer (John 8:44). Satan incited the guild of silversmiths to stage a public protest against Paul and the Gospel. Paul may have been referring to this riot when he wrote, "I have fought with beasts at Ephesus" (1 Cor. 15:32). The enemy had been repeatedly defeated throughout Paul's three years of ministry in Ephesus.
The Jews had a plot to kill him (Acts 20:19), and they even planned to kill him at sea (Acts 20:3).
Before his departure from Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church.
Acts 20:29-30 (NASB)
29 "I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
This is the ministry Timothy was given. I'm glad WildB gave us such a vivid and dramatic reminder of the dangers Timothy lived with everyday, and why Paul's letter was so valuable and encouraging to him, and to all of us.
This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, (1 Timothy 1:18)
Thanks clark for starting this topic.
(Some of the commentary was adapted from Bible Exposition Commentary - Be Faithful)
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2 Samuel 23:20
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow:
Benaiah (vv. 20-23; 1 Chron. 11:22-25) was a remarkable man who was born to serve as a priest (1 Chron. 27:5) but became a soldier and the commander of David's bodyguard (8:18; 20:23). In the Bible, there are priests who became prophets, such as Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and John the Baptist, but Benaiah is the only priest named who became a soldier. He performed valiantly on the battlefield and fought some interesting battles. F. W. Boreham has a wonderful sermon about Benaiah killing the lion in which he points out that Benaiah met the worst of enemies (a lion) in the worst of places (a pit) under the worst of conditions (on a snowy day)—and he won! Benaiah was loyal to the house of David and supported Solomon when he came to the throne (1 Kings 1:8-10). When Joab tried to make Adonijah king, it was Benaiah who executed him, thus fulfilling David's command to Solomon (1 Kings 2:5-6). Solomon made Benaiah the head of his army in Joab's place (1 Kings 2:35; 4:4; 1 Chron. 27:5-6). (Wiersbe)
1 Chronicles 11:25
Behold, he was honourable among the thirty,
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Carol Swenson
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Thanks WildB, and as always thanks for your three dimensional perspectives that enrich our studies.
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WildB
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quote:
Originally posted by Carol Swenson:
Timothy was born of mixed parentage: his mother was a Jewess, his father a Greek. He was so devoted to Christ that his local church leaders recommended him to Paul, and Paul added him to his "missionary staff' (Acts 16:1-5). Paul often reminded Timothy that he was chosen for this ministry (1 Tim. 1:18; 4:14). Timothy was faithful to the Lord (1 Cor. 4:17) and had a deep concern for God's people (Phil. 2:20-22).
But in spite of his calling, his close association with Paul, and his spiritual gifts, Timothy was easily discouraged. The last time Paul had been with Timothy, he had encouraged him to stay on at Ephesus and finish his work (1 Tim. 1:3). Apparently Timothy had physical problems (1 Tim. 5:23) as well as periods of discouragement; and you get the impression that some of the church members were not giving their pastor the proper respect as God's servant (1 Tim. 4:12; 2 Tim. 2:6-8).
Ephesus would not be the easiest place to pastor a church. (Are there any "easy places"? I doubt it.) The city was devoted to the worship of Diana, the patroness of the sexual instinct. Her lascivious images helped promote sexual immorality of all kinds (see Acts 19). Paul had done a great work in Ephesus during his three-year ministry, so "all they which dwelt in [the province of] Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 19:10). It was not easy for Timothy to follow a man like Paul! Of course, Satan had his workers in the city; for wherever there are spiritual opportunities there are also satanic obstacles (1 Cor. 16:8-9). (Wiersbe)
In 1 Timothy, Paul was hoping to be with Timothy, (2 are better than 1), but if he could not be there soon, he wrote to encourage him and add his voice to Timothy's.
Like Paul did with Timothy, WildB reminds us that although two is better, a man of God can stand alone and be victorious even when all the odds are against him; even when the enemy is fierce and vicious and twice his number; and even when the environment is dangerous and hostile.
 The odds were certainly against Timothy, but as a man of God he could stand victorious.
When Paul wrote the letter we know as 2 Timothy, his situation had changed drastically. He was now a prisoner in Rome and was facing certain death (2 Tim. 4:6). For one reason or another, almost all of Paul's associates in the ministry were gone and only Luke was at the apostle's side to assist him (2 Tim. 4:11). It was a dark hour indeed.
But Paul's great concern was not for himself; it was for Timothy and the success of the Gospel ministry. As in his First Letter to Timothy, Paul encouraged his beloved colleague to be faithful. As we have learned, Timothy was timid, suffered from physical ailments, and was tempted to let other people take advantage of him and not assert his authority as a pastor. (Wiersbe)
Wow...that's hitting all sides for shur...
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That is all.....
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WildB
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quote:
Originally posted by Deeper:
quote:
Originally posted by WildB:
Ecclesiastes 4:9 = The advantage of the 2 "lionlike men" Yes?
The advantage of a lion " in a pit in a snowy day " changed on the same factor of 2 being that it would be harder for it to fall having 4 legs.
Now if I were going to try to support the truth that two are better than one, Than Id go back to Genesis and remind people what God said. " It is not good that man should be alone".
Other references to support that two people can do more than one , along with your Ecc.4:9 would be proverbs 27. And also .....
remember the oxen treading out the grain.. two oxen pulling together..
yes, two are better as long as those two are serving God, because one man serving God is far better than two who are not.
Does that make sense?
DS
Yes...
Each for the other and Both for God.
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That is all.....
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WildB
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quote:
Originally posted by Deeper:
quote:
Originally posted by WildB:
Ecclesiastes 4:9 = The advantage of the 2 "lionlike men" Yes?
The advantage of a lion " in a pit in a snowy day " changed on the same factor of 2 being that it would be harder for it to fall having 4 legs.
I think maybe you are making the two lionlike men out to be something special in the verse when the focus is on Benaiah killing them. If Ecc 4 was meant as a support for "two lionlike men" being better than one lion, Why were all three killed by Benaiah.
or
If two lionlike men were somehow better, why were those two not able to get away from Benaiah?
DS
Faith....
Its hard not to notice lionlike men ahead in front of you or a lion knee deep in the snow in the same pit as you.
Both of them a Stand Fast Moment.
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Deeper
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quote:
Originally posted by WildB:
Ecclesiastes 4:9 = The advantage of the 2 "lionlike men" Yes?
The advantage of a lion " in a pit in a snowy day " changed on the same factor of 2 being that it would be harder for it to fall having 4 legs.
I think maybe you are making the two lionlike men out to be something special in the verse when the focus is on Benaiah killing them. If Ecc 4 was meant as a support for "two lionlike men" being better than one lion, Why were all three killed by Benaiah.
or
If two lionlike men were somehow better, why were those two not able to get away from Benaiah?
I think your effort to make two better than one, only showed that in the verses you used, that they were not better. They were killed.
I know that a man needs a friend. However, when God is with a man, he can do more than two men.
didnt 300 slay thousands because God was with them?
Now if I were going to try to support the truth that two are better than one, Than Id go back to Genesis and remind people what God said. " It is not good that man should be alone".
Other references to support that two people can do more than one , along with your Ecc.4:9 would be proverbs 27. And also .....
remember the oxen treading out the grain.. two oxen pulling together..
yes, two are better as long as those two are serving God, because one man serving God is far better than two who are not.
Does that make sense?
DS
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Carol Swenson
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Timothy was born of mixed parentage: his mother was a Jewess, his father a Greek. He was so devoted to Christ that his local church leaders recommended him to Paul, and Paul added him to his "missionary staff' (Acts 16:1-5). Paul often reminded Timothy that he was chosen for this ministry (1 Tim. 1:18; 4:14). Timothy was faithful to the Lord (1 Cor. 4:17) and had a deep concern for God's people (Phil. 2:20-22).
But in spite of his calling, his close association with Paul, and his spiritual gifts, Timothy was easily discouraged. The last time Paul had been with Timothy, he had encouraged him to stay on at Ephesus and finish his work (1 Tim. 1:3). Apparently Timothy had physical problems (1 Tim. 5:23) as well as periods of discouragement; and you get the impression that some of the church members were not giving their pastor the proper respect as God's servant (1 Tim. 4:12; 2 Tim. 2:6-8).
Ephesus would not be the easiest place to pastor a church. (Are there any "easy places"? I doubt it.) The city was devoted to the worship of Diana, the patroness of the sexual instinct. Her lascivious images helped promote sexual immorality of all kinds (see Acts 19). Paul had done a great work in Ephesus during his three-year ministry, so "all they which dwelt in [the province of] Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 19:10). It was not easy for Timothy to follow a man like Paul! Of course, Satan had his workers in the city; for wherever there are spiritual opportunities there are also satanic obstacles (1 Cor. 16:8-9). (Wiersbe)
In 1 Timothy, Paul was hoping to be with Timothy, (2 are better than 1), but if he could not be there soon, he wrote to encourage him and add his voice to Timothy's.
Like Paul did with Timothy, WildB reminds us that although two is better, a man of God can stand alone and be victorious even when all the odds are against him; even when the enemy is fierce and vicious and twice his number; and even when the environment is dangerous and hostile.
The odds were certainly against Timothy, but as a man of God he could stand victorious.
When Paul wrote the letter we know as 2 Timothy, his situation had changed drastically. He was now a prisoner in Rome and was facing certain death (2 Tim. 4:6). For one reason or another, almost all of Paul's associates in the ministry were gone and only Luke was at the apostle's side to assist him (2 Tim. 4:11). It was a dark hour indeed.
But Paul's great concern was not for himself; it was for Timothy and the success of the Gospel ministry. As in his First Letter to Timothy, Paul encouraged his beloved colleague to be faithful. As we have learned, Timothy was timid, suffered from physical ailments, and was tempted to let other people take advantage of him and not assert his authority as a pastor.
(Wiersbe)
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WildB
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Ecclesiastes 4:9 = The advantage of the 2 "lionlike men" Yes?
The advantage of a lion " in a pit in a snowy day " changed on the same factor of 2 being that it would be harder for it to fall having 4 legs.
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That is all.....
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Deeper
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good evening WildB.
You've set me upon an interesting topic concerning the "LionLike" men.
And...
I've read your post over and over but I am stuck. Can you please tell me the connection you are making between 2 sam, 1 Chron, And Ecc 4.
As with myself... I follow a thought process when I present something to others, and honestly, I am not following your thinking adding Ecc 4 to what is above it.
Could you please explain a bit more for me?
Thanks
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WildB
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Heres one that will get ya thinking.....
2 Samuel 23:20 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow:
1 Chronicles 11:22 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many acts; he slew two lionlike men of Moab: also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day.
I have tried to work with snow up to my knee and found it take's all the more effort and more if you fall.
As well thou I have hunted in the snow and have found that the animals have just as much of a hard time and I sometimes catch a break when they fall.
So I was figuring that fighting 2 "lionlike men" is more dangerous and harder to do so its mention is 1st.
Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
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Deeper
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Dear Clark,
It is a good thing what you do. When you sit down and take the time to Observe the scripture, growth will happen. Many just do a swift read over and utterly miss what the passage says because they do not correctly observe first.
It encourages me to see someone take that time. Keep doing it. I am sure you will grow in understanding and wisdom with good bible study tools.
God bless
DS
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WildB
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quote:
Originally posted by clark:
1 Timothy 3:14-16
KJV(i)14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
These are my thoughts, please share yours.
14 Paul wanted to see those of Lord and talk to them and fellowship but he needed to do what the Lord had him to do and would visit only when the Lord made it possible for him to visit. Paul was the fire God used in many churches but he was also the planter of the church in other places. Paul had a purpose and if he kept to one area he would have not done his purpose.
15 Timothy was like a son to Paul and Paul taught him to lead the church after his death to continue the Christian faith in a world that did not accept Jesus as He is. Paul left Timothy to run the church at Ephesus; this became God’s plan for Timothy.
16 The love of God is only inside the Christian faith. God trying to restore His relationship with man, is only in the Christian faith, other beliefs are man’s attempt t be with, God came to be with us. Jesus is someone who also separates Christian faith. Jesus still lives and defeated death all other founds of beliefs had died and stayed dead and those that had not it will only be a matter of time before they die and stand before Jesus the true Lord. Jesus is a name that has been spread across generations and nations no name has been spoken more than Jesus. Jesus has always been and was before we knew Him.
KJV(i)14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
You open your statement with "14 Paul wanted to see those of Lord and talk to them..."
Thee is not Those or Them?
It is a part of a section in the letter of instruction for A bishop .. ONE! not bishop's?
1 Timothy 3
1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
I think you are trying to over explain your "feelings" of the milk and miss the meat?
In the next verse indeed Paul lets you know his "feelings"...
1 Corinthians 16:12 As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren:
hoping to come is much different and not as pressing as I greatly desired !
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clark
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1 Timothy 3:14-16
KJV(i)14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
KJ2000(i)14 These things write I unto you, hoping to come unto you shortly: 15 But if I tarry long, that you may know how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16 And without doubt great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
These are my thoughts, please share yours.
14 Paul wanted to see those of Lord and talk to them and fellowship but he needed to do what the Lord had him to do and would visit only when the Lord made it possible for him to visit. Paul was the fire God used in many churches but he was also the planter of the church in other places. Paul had a purpose and if he kept to one area he would have not done his purpose.
15 Timothy was like a son to Paul and Paul taught him to lead the church after his death to continue the Christian faith in a world that did not accept Jesus as He is. Paul left Timothy to run the church at Ephesus; this became God’s plan for Timothy.
16 The love of God is only inside the Christian faith. God trying to restore His relationship with man, is only in the Christian faith, other beliefs are man’s attempt t be with, God came to be with us. Jesus is someone who also separates Christian faith. Jesus still lives and defeated death all other founds of beliefs had died and stayed dead and those that had not it will only be a matter of time before they die and stand before Jesus the true Lord. Jesus is a name that has been spread across generations and nations no name has been spoken more than Jesus. Jesus has always been and was before we knew Him.
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God's word is truth
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