SPIRITUAL DUTIES--I TIMOTHY LESSON 6

SPIRITUAL DUTIES

I TIMOTHY LESSON 6
by E. L. Bynum

Lesson: I Timothy 6:1-21

Memory Verse: I Timothy 6:6

Introduction:

This chapter contains a number of military terms:

(1) Fight the good fight of faith. v. 12.

(2) I give thee charge. v. 13.

(3) Charge them that are rich. v. 17.

(4) Keep that which is committed to thy trust. v. 20.

I. THE DUTIES OF SERVANTS AND TEACHERS. vs. 1-5

A. The Duties of Servants to Their Masters. vs. 1-2

Perhaps 50% of the people in the Roman Empire were slaves. Many of these slaves were educated people. Many responded to the gospel. In society they were slaves, but in the Church they were equals. Gal. 3:28, There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Some of these Christian slaves took this to mean that they could rebel against their masters. Paul corrects that view in these verses.

1. The servant and the unbelieving master. v. l

a. The servant here is a slave. v. 1

b. The servant should treat his master will all honor.

c. The reason for the sake of God's name and His doctrine .

2. The servant and the believing master. v. 2

a. Although they were equal in the church, this was not so in the world.

b. They are not to be despised because they are brethren.

c. The master is to be faithful and lovable.

d. The servant is not to take advantage of such a master.

e. This makes them both partakers of the benefit.

3. The faithful pastor is to teach and exhort such things.

Note: Slavery was everywhere practiced in the Roman world. The Bible does not teach liberation theology; but it seems that everywhere Christianity is taught and practiced, slavery eventually gives way to freedom.

B. The Duty Of Separating From False Teachers. vs. 3-5

1. They ignore the wholesome doctrine of the Divine teacher. v. 3. I John 4:1, Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Isaiah 8:20, To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

2. They are a mixture of pride and ignorance. v. 4. See 1:7.

3. They are the cause of meaningless controversy and strife. vs. 4-5. Doting means sick, filled with morbid desires.

4. They are destitute of the truth. v. 5

5. They are in their profession for gain. v. 6

6. It is the duty of sound Christians to expose and separate from such teachers.

7. Acts 20:28-32. I once discovered that we had a Sunday School teacher that was teaching soul sleep. He didn't stay long. (See Tract #D-508, "The Bible Believer and Heretics.")

II. THE DUTIES OF THE TRUE SERVANTS OF GOD. vs. 6-16

A. Duties In Regard To Money and Material Things. vs. 6-10

1. Godliness with contentment is a greater gain. v. 6. Phil. 4:11, Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. ILLUSTRATION: The Quaker offered to give a piece of ground to someone who was completely contented. One man appeared and said he was contented, so please deliver the deed. The Quaker said, "If you are contented, why do you want my piece of ground?"

2. Possessions are only temporary. v. 7. Job 1:21, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

3. We are to be satisfied with the necessities of life. v. 8. Many people know the price of everything and the value of nothing. Hebrews 13:5, Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

4. The danger of avarice. vs. 9-10

a. It has its root in the love of money v. 10

b. It weans the soul from truth. v. 10

c. It curses the soul with the pangs of discontent and sorrow. v. 10

d. It plunges the soul into a course of sin that ends in perdition. v. 9

B. Duties Of The Man Of God. vs. 11-16

1. He is to flee the above and follow the true riches. v. 11a. While the laborer is worthy of his hire (I Timothy 5:17-18), there are too many hirelings in the ministry. John 10: 11-14

2. He is to follow after the true riches that are spiritual. v. 1b

3. He is to fight the good fight of faith. v. 12

4. He is to lay hold of the prize and continue his profession. v. 12

5. He is charged in the sight of the life giving God and the witnessing Christ. v. 13. Christ is o'er example.

6. He is charged to maintain and pass on the truth. v. 14. This process is to continue until the 2nd Coming. I John 2:28, And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

7. This is enforced by a sublime description of the Lord. vs. 15-16

a. As the absolute ruler. v. 15. Revelation 17:14; 19:16

b. As inherently and independently immortal. v. 16

c. As dwelling in unapproachable splendor. v. 16. Psalm 104:2; Revelation 21:11, 23-24; Revelation 22:5

d. To whom everlasting honour and power are ascribed. v. 16

III. OTHER DUTIES OF Tom: SERVANTS OF GOD. vs. 17-21

A. The Right Use of Riches. vs. 17-19

1. They are not to trust in riches. v. 17a. Deuteronomy 8:18. Please note that riches are not condemned if rightly used. It is wrong for men to trust in riches, but it is just as wrong to trust our security to the Welfare State.

2. God is the Giver of all things. v. 17b

3. Enjoy in a godly way, that which God gives you. v. 17c

4. They are to use them in a liberal Scriptural manner. v. 18

5. They are to lay up treasures in heaven. v. 19; Matthew 6: 19-21

B. The Right Use Of The Faith. vs. 20-21

He is here being instructed to keep the faith that was once delivered to the saints. Jude 3

1. It is to be preserved and handed on inviolate. v. 20a. II Tim. 2:2

2. It is not to be degraded by false teaching. v. 20b

3. It is not to be changed to accommodate science falsely so called. v. 20c. Science is here "gnosis" which was the basis of Gnosticism. Much science and so called knowledge of cults and others is the same thing, the same mistake. Paul calls it profane and vain babblings.

4. Mixing error with truth causes a turn from the faith. v. 21

5. The grace of God is the best preservative from error. v. 21

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. How are servants to treat their masters?

2. What is wrong with false teachers?

3. How are Christians to treat false teachers?

4. What is the great gain described in this chapter?

5. How does he illustrate the temporary nature of material things?

6. What is the danger of avarice?

7. What is the man of God to do with the truth?

8. Describe the right use of riches.

9. What is the right use of "the faith?"

10. What is science falsely so called, and what are we to do about it?