1 Timothy 1:18-20

Summary retelling of 1 Timothy 1:18-20

Paul then makes absolutely certain that Timothy understands that the same charge that was given to Paul is passed along to Timothy.  Paul tells Timothy that he can accomplish the task by holding to the faith and to a good conscience.  Paul cautions Timothy to not be like Hymenaeus and Alexander, who have apparently forsaken the faith.  Paul comments that he has handed them over to Satan so that they might learn not to speak against God.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul wants to make absolutely certain that Timothy understands that the mantle of preaching the Gospel is being passed on to Timothy.  This does not mean that Timothy is taking Paul’s responsibility.  Paul is not done with his ministry.  However, Timothy is likewise charged with proclaiming Jesus Christ to the world.  This is one neat thing about the church.  Christians don’t train their replacements.  Rather, Christians train disciples of God who pick up the proclamation and take it in new direction in order to accomplish new things by God’s grace and wisdom.

How cool is it to know that you can train people in the faith and know that you still have a purpose in the church?  Why is it important to understand that we always have something to contribute?  How is this different than the business world?

Second Thought:

Paul also reinforces within Timothy that God’s will can be accomplished if Timothy remains faithful.  This is significant because God’s will can sometimes seem rather daunting.  After all, Jesus’ final words to His disciples are: “Go into the whole world and preach the Gospel.”  (Paraphrased, of course)  Talk about a daunting task!  However, when we remain faithful to God’s will He tells us what part of His plan He desires us to accomplish.  We don’t have to do everything; we simply need to remain faithful to what God asks of us.

How easy is it for you to discern God’s will?  Are there things that make it easier or more difficult?  If you know God’s will, how easy is it for you to follow God’s will for you?

Third Thought:

Paul cautions Timothy to not forsake the faith.  In fact, Paul gets really personal.  Paul tells us of two men that Paul has released for his disciple-making process.  These men decided to make a shipwreck of their faith.  In other words, although they knew all the teaching their lives absolutely wrecked any testimony that they could have had with God. 

They forsook their “good conscience.”  Here is what likely happened – it’s a story that plays itself out again and again in the church.  A person has to choose between living out their faith and living the life that their flesh desires.  So often we make bad choices and live out the life of the flesh.  Our conscience – through the Holy Spirit – convicts us.  Now we have a choice to make.  Do we compromise our faith so we can continue to live as we want or to we stay true to our good conscience and go through the hard work of change?  These two men that Paul mentions apparently chose to compromise their faith in order to live as they desired.

How easy is it to compromise our faith?  How does compromise usually begin for you?  Is there any part of your life right now that is really compromised and not the way that God would have you live?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Timothy 2:1-4