After reading the first and second books of Timothy in the Bible, people invariably have many questions. Can a woman serve in the church? Is it permissible for a pastor, deacon, or elder to drink wine? Are certain foods permitted? Based on extensive research and study, First and Second Timothy Commentary answers all those questions and more. Dr. Derrick Holyfield breaks down the meaning of each verse into simple, easy-to-understand language, definitively showing how Paul's letters still pertain to Christians today. Dr. Holyfield provides a brief summary of each chapter and then digs deep into the text to share Paul's wisdom. He coaches his commentary within the historical context of society during Paul and Timothy's time. From how Christians need to stand firm in the word of God and the difference between law and grace to the various qualifications for church leaders, Dr. Holyfield delivers a timely interpretation of this important Scripture. Ideal for family Bible studies, Sunday school teachers, pastors, and everyone in between, First and Second Timothy Commentary will challenge, inspire, and renew your faith.

First and Second Timothy Commentary

Who will wear this crown?By Derrick Holyfield

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright © 2011 Dr. Derrick Holyfield
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4620-5353-7

Contents

Introduction................................................................................xiSummary of 1 Timothy........................................................................1Chapter One Paul is our pattern & Timothy is called to rebuke legalism.....................3Chapter Two Prayer is encouraged...........................................................18Chapter Three Qualifications for Bishops and deacons.......................................35Chapter Four Reason why all food can be eaten..............................................56Chapter Five Biblical principles on the care of widows.....................................67Chapter Six Contentment is great gain......................................................76Summary of 2 Timothy........................................................................83Chapter One God has not given us the spirit of fear........................................85Chapter Two Should a pastor hold a political office?.......................................102Chapter Three The spirit of the Anti-Christ................................................123Chapter Four Who will wear this crown?.....................................................133Dispensational Charts.......................................................................143

Chapter One

Paul is our pattern & Timothy is called to rebuke legalism

1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope.

Paul is the author of this book. Every book that Paul wrote has his name on it. (II Thessalonians 3:17)

3:17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.

Paul authored 13 books Romans through Philemon. All start out with his name—Paul. Note that neither Acts nor Hebrew begins with Paul's name. He was also an apostle and in order to be called an apostle you had to meet certain qualifications. One qualification was you had to have seen the Lord. (I Corinthians 9:1, I Corinthians 15:8, II Corinthians 12:2-4)

9:1 Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our lord? are not ye my work in the lord? 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell: or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

12:3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

12:4 how that he was caught up into paradise and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

(No modern day man has seen Jesus). Therefore Paul was an apostle by the commandments God called him. (Acts 9:15-16)

9:15 But the lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

Please don't be confused Jesus, Lord, Holy Spirit are the same, Paul seen Jesus I Corinthians 9:1

9:1 Am I not an apostle: Am I not free: have I not seen Jesus Christ our lord: are not ye my work in the Lord?

I strongly believe in three—the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, three in one. (Genesis 11:7)

11:7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.

Jesus Christ my savior (means ruler—he rule my life). The one who is our hope that saved us—those who have trusted him as their Lord and Saviour confessing with their mouth the Lord Jesus and believed God raised Jesus from the dead thou shalt be saved. Another scripture to give more hope is 1 Thessalonians 4:13

4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

Saved people do not feel sorrow as far as where they are going when they die because they believe in Jesus Christ. Unsaved have no hope because they do not believe. In my studies of social psychology I studied a series on substance abuse, there in the session concerning Alcoholic Anonymous, they believed in a higher power. Higher power with them does not always mean the Lord who is our higher power. Our hope (saved) and their hope (unsaved) is different.

1 Timothy 1:2 unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul wrote to Timothy around A.D. 65 from Macedonia or somewhere nearby. Timothy was a young man being raised by his mother and grandmother in Jewish tradition. The bible does not say much about his father other than he was a Greek (Gentile). Timothy was from a mixed background, his mother and grandmother did a good service by teaching him the word of God. I don't know whether they knew he was going to be used by God in a mighty way. Today we need more young and aged women to follow the pattern after Timothy mother and grandmother. In 1 Timothy 1:2, Paul stated that Timothy was his son in the faith (my own son, not fleshly but spiritual). This question is often asked how do we become brothers and sisters in the Lord? Under the law, fleshly blood line and blood type comes from the father. (Matthew 12:46-50, Romans 9:3)

12:46 While he yet talked to the people, behold his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

12:47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

12:48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? And who is my brethren?

12:49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Under Grace we become brothers and sisters spiritual wise. Grace, by the way is found in the books that Paul wrote which is from Romans-Philemon. To become brothers and sisters under grace is after you do and believe according to ( Romans 10:9, Ephesians 2:11-16, 19)

10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Jesus from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

2:15 having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandment contained in ordinances: for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.

My friends this is how we become brothers and sisters in Christ by the blood of Christ that was shed for remissions of sins. Now let us get back to verse 2—own son in the faith means word of God (living Grace) Whenever a man is going to stand firm on God's word he needs grace, mercy, and peace because of what he will suffer for instance, people not wanting to socialize with you because you stand up for the Bible.

1 Timothy 1:3

As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightiest charge some that they teach no other doctrine.

This verse is why I believe Paul wrote the first letter to Timothy in Macedonia 65 A.D. He was asking Timothy to stay in Ephesus to carry on the needful work of the Lord there, while he (Paul) traveled to Macedonia. Paul told Timothy to charge some that they teach no other doctrine. Let's look at who he charged. I believe that they were saved people according to 2 Timothy 2:2

2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

I believe Gods word is not meant to be given to lazy people to give out to others, they must be self motivated like my Bible college instructor drill in the students head—Not a lazy man—a workman that needeth not be ashamed, see 2 Timothy 2:15

2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

When God called people in the Bible to carry out his orders they were workers—Let's look at some scriptures

1 Kings 19:19 (Elisha)

19:19 So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: an Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.

Exodus 3:1, 4 (Moses)

3:1 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.

3:4 And when the lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said here am I.

Matthew 4:18-22 (Peter, James, John)

4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men

4:20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 4:22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

Acts 9:1-5 (Paul)

9:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the lord, went unto the high priest.

9:2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

9:3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutes thou me:

9:5 And he said, Who art thou, lord? And the lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

And there were others in the Old and New Testament that were workers when the Lord called them into the ministry.

1 Timothy 1:4

Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Don't listen to soothsayers, witchcraft, sun gods old wise tales or philosophy even now we are not commanded to answer every question that is asked in a Bible setting on our jobs, socializing with colleges. Simple fact all questions asked are not to edify the Lord.

1 Timothy 1:5

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

When one thinks about charity the first thing comes to mind is giving. For example, when a tragedy strikes and people are in desperate need, the first thing that happens we see what can we give whether it be time or money and when we give we give it from a pure heart and give willingly. We give it not looking for a reward. Giving from a love point of a view because love shows action. We give it from a good conscience.

Everyone remembers the tornadoes that devastated parts of Alabama, cities like Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and Eclectic. About two weeks later another tornado devastated Joplin, Missouri same month May of 2011. There were charitable giving from all walks of life. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

But charity will last forever.

1 Timothy 1:6

From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;

Even some that know the truth have turn to the course of this world. They speak things to no profit to the word of God or no spiritual edification in order to fulfill the lust and desires of their flesh.

1 Timothy 1:7

Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

As stated before we are living from Roman thru Philemon under grace we are suppose to follow Paul. The law is good for our learning admonish but the law is not what we are suppose to follow this day and age.

Things like certain days of week to worship God, we can worship any day we please and be in the will of God. Another thing is some went to a priest to confess their sins, now we can go to God for ourselves and confess.

1 Timothy 1:8

But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;

Even though we are not saved by the law, the law has to do with earthly or tangible things. There are good things (morally) in the keeping of the law. Thou shalt not commit adultery, steal, bare false witness—these things are good for people and make good ethics rules on the job and in our neighborhoods. The law is good if used lawfully, every time you think about sin, think about the law—thou shalt not do this sin. Read Romans Chapter 7 to reinforce what has been presented on law and flesh. (Remember the law let you know when you are wrong) Look at Galatians 3:24

3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

The schoolmaster was a member of the family slave who led children back and forth from school to home to oversee their conduct. In like matter, the law pointed out our sin and led us to Christ, who alone can put away sin.

1 Timothy 1:9

Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers

A person walking after the Spirit does not have to worry much about the law; they are not following after lustful things. The law was made for sinners.

1 Timothy 1:10

For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

Not only were they to obey the ten commandments that Moses gave but note that there are 613 laws they were to follow, again I thank God we are saved by grace, there's no way possible we could have kept all the laws that were commanded in the Old Testament time.

1 Timothy 1:11

According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

The law is also for anything contrary to the grace gospel which was given to Paul. (Romans 11:13)

11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, in as much as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.

1 Timothy 1:12

And I thank Christ Jesus our lord, who hath enable me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

When God call someone into the ministry, he gives them the tools or added ability to complete the job. God looks on him as someone that is not a procrastinator, but as someone that is persistence to the end of the job. God wants someone that is going to stay committed to the end. Remember 2 Timothy Chapter 2:2

2:2 And the things that thou has heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

What type of men is the scripture referring to—(faithful men)? Look what else God does, he put a man in place. Right where God wants him to be. ( I do believe in predestination) look at Ephesians Chapter 1:4-6

1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.

1:5 having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will

1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

1 Timothy 1:13

Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

Paul was a busy man being a blasphemer, persecutor and injurious before God used him as a pattern to the Gentiles for believers to follow. He did a lot of things ignorantly in unbelief. He received mercy from God because he did it in unbelief. But when you learn better you do better.

1 Timothy 1:14

And the grace of our lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Even though Paul blasphemed and persecuted, God grace was exceeding abundant towards him. But not only to Paul but it is toward all people today, no matter our origin, religion, background, gender, economic status, grace is there.

1 Timothy 1:15

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

This is one of the most heartwarming verses in the Bible Jesus came into this world to save sinners like me and anyone that wants to be included regardless of their past. No matter how dark your past might have been he died for all sins not one sin was left out.

1 Timothy 1:16

howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

The Lord predestined Paul, regardless of what Paul had done in the past the Lord chose Paul to be a pattern. When the Lord chooses you for a work he will preserve you for that work. Paul was shipwrecked, put in prison, bit by a snake, but the Lord allowed him to continue on to Rome. My friend, when God have a job for you no one or nothing can stop Gods program. Paul said (I am chief) first to get saved to lead people to Christ and introduce dispensationalism.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from First and Second Timothy Commentaryby Derrick Holyfield Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Derrick Holyfield. Excerpted by permission of iUniverse, Inc.. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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