I am out of town this weekend with my family and the elders have a special service planned that centers on the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper is a core teaching of our faith. It was instituted by Jesus on the night before his crucifixion (Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-38). Acts 20:7 says “On…

Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. The advice to Timothy in 4:12 “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young,” appropriately prefaces Timothy’s role as…

1st Timothy 3:14-15 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. Paul was hoping to come…

Having defined the proper roles for men and women within the church in 1st Timothy 2:8-14, Paul, inspired by God, now turns to those who exercise the roles of overseeing the church. 1st Timothy 3:1–7 describes the requirements of church elders (1st Peter 5:1; Titus 1) also known as pastors (Ephesians 4:11), bishops (1st Timothy…

1st Timothy 2:9–14 is one of the more hotly-debated passages of the New Testament. This begins the second main section of chapter 2, which actually began in verse 8 and extends to the end of the chapter at verse 15. The theme is that of the role of women within the church. The goal of…

1st Timothy 2:8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. This verse concludes Paul’s God-inspired instructions on prayer which began in verse 1 and leads into the next section of chapter 2 concerning the women in the church at Ephesus. Just as God desires all people…

1st Timothy 2:1 (NIV) I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— When the people of God come together, the first thing to be concentrated on is prayer and the recognition of God’s presence. This is the focus of the first 8 verses of 1st Timothy 2….

1 Timothy 1:18-20 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. 20 Among…

In this passage Paul, inspired by God, begins a digression from the main point he has been making. Such digressions are common in Paul’s writings. Paul has been charging Timothy to fulfill his duty as a preacher by opposing fables and doctrines that differ from the gospel. He has listed some of the practices that…

1st Timothy 1:12-17 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was…