What are his commandments?

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309» 1Tim 6:11 . . But you-- O man of God --flee these things and pursue
righteousness, piety, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.

German philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844-1900) believed that
Christian virtues, especially compassion, are an impediment to achieving
greatness; which is just another way of saying that nice guys finish last.

The Greek word for "flee" basically means not to walk away; but rather, to
run away; as if for your life. (cf. 1Cor 6:18)

FAQ: What is a man of God?

REPLY: Well; first off we should point out that the Greek word for "man" in
that passage is anthropos (anth'-ro-pos) which refers to human beings of
either gender; so it would be far more useful to translate that phrase
"person of God".

NOTE: Man of God is okay too because when the creator made humans, he
called both genders "man". (Gen 1:27 & Gen 5:2)

Numerous passages in the Old Testament identify men of God as inspired
individuals, i.e. prophets. In that respect; Abel was a man of God (Luke
11:49-51) Abraham was a man of God (Gen 20:7) and a whole bunch of
other people too, including women; e.g. Miriam (Ex 15:20) Deborah (Judg
4:4) Asahiah (2Kgs 22:14) and Huldah (2Chron 24:32).

Obviously then, if your church's officers aren't inspired; then they aren't
men of God; they're just church managers on a career path.

* The Greek word for patience basically means to be consistent. For
example: an employee at my work once did an unusually good job on one of
his assignments and felt he deserved a high score on his annual
performance evaluation because of it. But I pointed out that in order to be
rated high, the quality of his work had to be excellent all year rather than
occasionally.
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310» 1Tim 6:12a . . Fight the good fight of the faith.

The first Greek word translated "fight" pertains to struggle; literally to
compete for a prize. This is the kind of conflict played out in competitive
sports.

The word for "fight" pertains to a place of assembly; viz: the field of
completion; e.g. arenas, coliseums, and/or stadiums.

The object of a Christian's struggle is not so much conquest, but rather, a
prize. In Paul's day athletes won wreaths. In our day, they win medals and
lucrative contracts for product endorsements.

● 1Cor 9:24-26 . . Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but
only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And
everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things.
They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

In Paul's day, there were no second-place winners; only first. When the
competition is that fierce, athletes really go all out. So Paul is saying that
Christians should battle for their reward as if there were only one gold to go
around; in other words; really put their hearts into it.

However, in order to be adjudged a good fight, the contestants, win or lose,
have to go by the book.

● 2Tim 2:5 . .When someone competes as an athlete, he does not receive
the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.
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311» 1Tim 6:12b . .Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called
when you made your good profession in the presence of many witnesses.

All of Christ's believing followers were called to eternal life. Note the
grammatical tense of the "have" verb in the passages below. It's in the
present tense; not future; indicating that Christ's believing followers have
eternal life right now-- no delay, and no waiting period.

● John 3:36 . . He who believes in the Son has eternal life

● John 6:47 . .Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.

● John 5:24 . . I assure you, those who heed my message and trust in God
who sent me, have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins,
but they have already passed from Death into Life.

● 1John 5:13 . . I write these things to you who believe in the name of the
Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

FAQ: Why would Paul encourage Timothy to take hold of eternal life if he
already had it?

REPLY: The Greek word translated "take hold" is somewhat ambiguous. It
can mean reach for, and it can also mean to take something in order to
make use of it. For example having a lawn mower in your garage with a can
of gas sitting beside won't be much use for cutting grass unless gas is
transferred from the can to the mower's tank. The mower is a perfectly good
machine, and the gas is a perfectly good fuel; but the two need to be
combined in order to be effective.

FAQ: How so?

REPLY: Eternal life in 1Tim 6:12b is modified by a Greek article indicating
that we should understand this as "the" eternal life, i.e. a person (1John
1:1-2) In other words; Paul didn't want Timothy to be just another run of
the mill career-path cleric; rather, he wanted his friend to be a minister
empowered by God.
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312» 1Tim 6:13-14 . . I charge you in the sight of God-- who gives life to
everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate
made the good confession --to keep this command without spot or blame
until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Greek word for "commandment" in that passage basically means an
injunction, i.e. an authoritative prescription. It's difficult to tell if Paul had a
specific instruction in mind or if he intended Timothy to accept his entire
epistle as the law of Christ. If the latter is the case, then the NLT seems the
better version; which reads like this:

"And I command you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ
Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, that you obey his
commands with all purity. Then no one can find fault with you from now until
our Lord Jesus Christ returns."

The NLT's version encompasses all of Christ's expectations; from Acts to
Revelation.

* The Geek translated "without spot/purity" basically means unblemished. It
takes a pretty concentrated, uncompromising effort for a man to finish up a
life of Christian service with a flawless record. That's setting the bar pretty
high, but then it would be out of character for Christ to expect less.
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313» 1Tim 6:17-19 . . Command those who are rich in this present world
not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on
God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.

In other words; providence is where the real security is because God
controls it rather than market fluctuations.

Webster's defines "conceit" as an excessive appreciation of one's own worth
and/or virtue. It's is all too common for the rich and famous to exhibit an
aristocratic masters-of-the-universe demeanor, so to speak. In other words:
conceited people think of themselves as self-reliant; they don't need God for
anything; no, they can get by just fine without Him. In their mind's eye, only
the weak need religion.

● 1Tim 6:18-19 . . Command them to do good, to be rich in good works, to
be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a
good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is
life indeed.

"that which is life indeed" refers to the divine nature about which Peter
wrote at 2Pet 1:4, which offers a lasting return on one's investment.

● Prov 19:17 . . He who is gracious to a poor man lends to The Lord, and He
will repay him for his good deed.
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314» 1Tim 6:20 . . Avoid impious and vain babblings, and oppositions of
science falsely so called:

Not all science is false. However, there are disciplines that fall into a
category called "theoretical" referring to unproven ideas and concepts in
chemistry, astronomy, geology, archeology, medicine, genetics,
paleontology, anthropology, history, literature, physics, engineering,
mathematics, etc.

Impious babbling probably refers to science-sounding arguments
deliberately intended to discredit the Bible, i.e. sophistry.

Vain babbling tells us that science-sounding arguments are futile; defined by
Webster's as trifling and frivolous, i.e. of no real practical use or value.

1Tim 6:20 is especially applicable to informal group discussions, i.e. forums,
bull sessions, and brain storming; conducted by people with a head full of
scientific opinions who likely haven't a clue what they're talking about.

For example: one day at work a man in the break room said he believes it's
arrogant to assume there is no other intelligent life in the universe but that
found on earth. You know why he said that? Because he heard it said first by
someone he admires, ergo: he was perpetuating false science in the form of
a respectable opinion.

People throw that spurious kind of stuff up to Christians all the time in
attempts to debunk their religion and prove that it deserves no more
credibility than myth, superstition, and/or fantasy. But seriously; don't
unproven scientific theories deserve the very same labels?
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315» 2Tim 1:8a . . Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord (cf. 1Pet
4:16-19)

Christianity is rooted in Jesus Christ. So when people identify themselves as
Christians they're saying that they're his followers; i.e. they're aligned with
him and they accept his teachings and his claims as the God's truth; while at
the same time categorizing themselves as kooks and religious fanatics; and
thus open to mockery and unkind gossip.

It's tough, but we have to bite the bullet lest when we meet Jesus, he gives
us the same look he gave Peter on the night of the Lord's arrest.

"If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful
generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his
Father's glory with the holy angels." (Mark 8:38)

 

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316» 2Tim 1:8b . . Don't be ashamed of me his prisoner; but Join with me in
suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.

Peter distanced himself from Christ on the night of the Lord's arrest, no
doubt fearing that if he were to admit to being one of the Lord's associates,
he'd be arrested too. It appears Paul was concerned that Timothy, who was
normally a loyal associate, would do the same to him while he was behind
bars.

The power of God is involved in one's suffering for the gospel when He sets
you up for it.

● Phil 1:29 . . For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to
believe on him, but also to suffer for him.

Suffering for the Gospel doesn't necessarily include martyrdom. The more
common forms of suffering are privation, humiliation, threats, hunger, loss
of friends and family, ostracizing, ridicule, mockery, harsh criticism,
judgmental remarks, insults, intimidation, name calling, demeaning
comments, ugly insinuations, slander, teasing, harassment, bullying,
unfairness, prejudice, intolerance, disassociation, treachery, and betrayal; in
other words, the kinds of stuff that really get you right down in the gut.
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317» 2Tim 1:13 . . Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have
heard from me.

The Greek word for "hold fast" means to clutch, cling, or adhere to.

The word for "pattern" means a sketch; viz: a blueprint, a schematic
diagram, and/or an example, i.e. a model. (e.g. 1Tim 1:16)

When Noah was commissioned to build the ark, he wasn't left clueless as to
what it was supposed to look like. God gave him a design to work with. And
when Moses was tasked to fabricate articles of worship for the Tabernacle,
he too was given designs. In other words, Moses and Noah both made
everything according to God-given specifications; viz: Christianity is a God
given religion; He has not left it to human ingenuity.

What this boils down to is that modern churches have been handed down
from Paul, and to a certain extent from Peter, a God-given pattern for their
operations. When they depart from His pattern, then they are no longer
following Christ, rather; they are attempting to revise his ways.
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318» 2Tim 1:14 . . With the help of the Holy Spirit who lives within us;
carefully guard what has been entrusted to you.

This probably refers to congregations whose spiritual welfare is the
responsibility of church officers. The officers found in dereliction of duty are
known as non vigilant watchdogs and self-seeking, incompetent shepherds;
for example:

● Isa 56:10-11 . . Israel's watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they
are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to
sleep. They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They
are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, each
seeks his own gain. (cf. John 10:11)

So; exactly what is the "help of the Holy Spirit". Well; I'd say it's a
motivation, to the point of obsession, because I think we can safely assume
that God is never half-hearted about His business, viz: a church officer who
lacks obsession with his congregation's spiritual welfare should probably not
be in a position to influence folks in that way.
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319» 2Tim 2:2 . . And the things you have heard me say in the presence of
many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach
others.

Paul's instructions were given to Timothy "in the presence of many
witnesses" indicating that his instructions were never intended to be
privileged information for the eyes-only of an elite category of super saints.
The things he taught were transferred publicly rather than deep inside a
secret chamber whose access was restricted to an elite clique of insiders.

I also suspect that Paul sand-bagged Timothy. By instructing him in the
hearing of witnesses, Timothy could never fall back on the tiresome old
excuse of saying "I didn't know I was supposed to do that." Well, witnesses
would certainly testify that he did know what he was supposed to do
because they themselves heard Paul instruct him with their own ears.

It's a wise church that fully understands a pastor's duties and responsibilities
just in case a time comes when they need to hold his feet to the fire;
especially a complacent pastor or one that's gotten mixed up in political
activism and civil disobedience. If a church doesn't know what a pastor's
sacred obligations are, then there's no way they can know whether or not
they're getting their money's worth. In my opinion, an ignorant church is a
private pond stocked with hatchery fish.

Paul's directive in this matter was also a practical consideration as nobody
resides forever on this earthen globe. Pastors die; that's just a fact of life.
And they also get diseases like dementia, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's. It's a
wise pastor busy training his replacements so that all his knowledge and
experience aren't lost to future church generations. Abraham was
commended for this very thing.

● Gen 18:18-19 . . For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children
and his household after him to keep the way of The Lord by doing what is
right and just, so that The Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has
promised him.

A good example of the result of neglecting to train reliable men in "all the
things you have heard me say" is the church of Laodicea described in Rev
3:14-20.

According to Col 2:1-2 and Col 4:13-16; the Laodicean Christians were at
one time solid believers. But between the time of Paul's writing his letter to
the Colossians, and John writing the 3rd chapter of Revelation, the
congregation meeting in Nymphas' home somehow went dark. It was still
Christian in name, yes; but it no longer followed Christ's instructions.

The Laodicean church had all the trappings of a Christian church; except for
one salient feature: the Christ of Christianity wasn't even a member let
alone the captain of its industry. It was literally a christless church. He's
depicted outside the building banging on the door trying to get somebody's
attention to let him in.

● John 14:23-24 . . If anyone loves me, he will keep my word; and my
Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our abode with
him. He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which
you hear is not mine, but the Father's who sent me.
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320» 2Tim 2:3-7 . . Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ
Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs-- he wants
to please his commanding officer.

A soldier's primary responsibility is to accomplish the mission assigned by
their commanders. They don't give themselves leave to abandon their posts
to go off on their own personal agenda doing other stuff. Desertion and
dereliction of duty are courts martial offenses.

These days; successful activism depends to a larger and larger extent upon
the participation of evangelical Christians; hence the smart organizers make
recruiting them and their ministers a priority; and their numbers typically
end up in a poll somewhere; thus activists utilize religion as a sort of seal
of approval for their causes; like the way professional athletes sell their
names to endorse sports apparel.

Political activism and civil disobedience may seem like every Christian
citizen's duty when a "worthy cause" comes along; but those causes can be
treacherous sirens; leading to a shipwreck of the ministry of a man ordained
to serve Jesus Christ.
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321» 2Tim 2:8 . . Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant
of David, according to my gospel

There are Bible-toting missionaries out there going door to door all over the
world teaching that Jesus Christ's crucified dead body wasn't restored to life;
they're saying it's still dead, and his remains are squirreled away somewhere
on Earth in a condition and a location known only to God.

That is NOT the kind of gospel that Christ wants to hear preached about
himself.

Others are adamantly opposed to any ideas that even so much as suggest
that Jesus Christ is David's biological progeny. That too is NOT the kind of
gospel that Christ wants to hear preached about himself. In point of fact,
there is sufficient textual evidence to very easily to prove that Jesus Christ is
not only David's biological progeny, but Adam's too.
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322» 2Tim 2:14 . . Command them in God's name to stop quarrelling over
trifles.

I take it that it's okay to discuss trifles, but not okay to get into food fights
over them.

In a Sean Connery movie titled "The Name Of The Rose" church dignitaries
assembled a meeting of the minds to reach a resolution on a theological
question which was: Did the Christ own the clothes that he wore or not?

Well, needless to say, the discussion turned into bickering wherein nothing
was resolved. Tempers flared, shouting ensued, feelings were hurt, and
people were alienated over the issue-- a rather meaningless issue; which is
precisely what it means to fiddle while Rome burns down around you.

Christians are often embroiled in arguments over things that in the grand
scheme of things have almost zero importance while all around them are
weightier matters begging their attention.

It's interesting that Paul didn't want Timothy's flock instructed to avoid
quarrelling over trifles, rather, to stop. I can't help but wonder how many
Christians think to seek absolution for the sin of quarreling over trifles when
they go to God in prayer.
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323» 2Tim 2:15 . . Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker
who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Some folks construe rightly dividing the truth as instructions to keep the Old
Testament completely separate from the New. But that's not even close to
what Paul is instructing.

He was a blue collar tradesman: Paul fabricated portable shelters for a living
(Acts 18:3). The Greek word for "rightly dividing" means to make a straight
cut as opposed to a crooked cut; or a cut that misses the line and yields a
piece of material that's either too long, too short, or the wrong contour; thus
resulting in a tent whose pieces won't join properly when it comes time to
sew them together. The results? A distorted tent and a black mark for the
craftsman.

The intent is not one of severing the Bible in half and treating each as a
separate book, nor of breaking the New Testament in two pieces with the
gospels in one and the epistles in the other; but to be accurate in the
whole's interpretations and applications so that it all fits together perfectly
from first to last, like a well made armoire instead of a hastily constructed
rabbit hutch.
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324» 2Tim 2:16 . . Avoid worldly, empty chatter; for it will lead to further
impiety.

The Greek word for "worldly" refers to heathenism, i.e. secular.

What he's talking about there are bull sessions wherein untrained people
discussing the Bible haven't a clue what they're talking about; and their
perpetual deliberations-- consisting of sophistry, conjecture, theory, and
personal opinions --never get to the bottom of anything.

Well, truth isn't meant to be learned by means of discussion; it's meant to
be learned by instruction, taught by someone especially enabled by God for
that purpose. (Eph 4:11-14)

● 1Cor 12:29 . . Are all teachers?

The answer to that is a great big NO.

Some years ago I was invited to a home Bible study. Before considering his
invitation; I asked the man if his group was led by a competent Bible
teacher. He said: No; we don't have a teacher. The group teaches itself. In
other words: we speak as the Spirit leads us to speak.

They say iron sharpeneth iron. But that doesn't work when both irons are
soft; all they end up doing is chafing each other. That's why files are
hardened and tempered. Well; that man's group lacked a file, so to speak;
so I declined.

NOTE: Christians are constantly urged by well-meaning ministers to share
the faith with the outside world every chance we get. I highly recommend
exercising some sanctified common sense in that pursuit lest you get
yourself into a discussion with feral brutes whose sole intent is to discredit
Christianity.

"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you
do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to
pieces." (Matt 7:6)

Be cautious out there. Gauge the listeners carefully before you speak.
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325» 2Tim 2:19 . . Let everyone who names the name of The Lord abstain
from wickedness.

The wickedness he's talking about in this particular instance regards
unskilled use of the Bible along with sophistry, conjecture, semantic double
speak, wild-eyed posits, theories, flimsy science, and lines of spiritual
rhetoric that sound very convincing but are nevertheless quite spurious.
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326» 2Tim 2:22 . . Flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith,
love and peace, with those who call on The Lord from a pure heart.

"youthful" is translated from a Greek word which, in the USA, pertains to
folks under the age of 18. But most folks are typically youthful way beyond
that age. For example middle age usually doesn't kick in till somewhere
around the age of 40 or 45.

The Greek word translated "lusts" is somewhat ambiguous. It can refer to
both inordinate longings and legitimate longings. For example; the same
word is used at Luke 22:15 referring to Christ's desire for one last Passover
dinner with his apostles.

Two very common lusts among the 18-40 group is the longing for
adventure and the desire for one's life to count for something.

Hippies pursued love and peace but failed because they could obtain neither
except by means of promiscuity and mood-enhancing drugs like marijuana
and LSD.

A pure heart is one that's unadulterated; in other words: it's not an unholy
amalgam of good and evil.

Righteousness, Love, Peace, and Purity are all blessing-worthy.

● Matt 5:6 . . Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness

● Matt 5:7 . . Blessed are the compassionate

● Matt 5:8 . . Blessed are the pure in heart

● Matt 5:9 . . Blessed are the peaceable

The Greek word translated "blessed" means fortunate. In other words;
people lacking those four beatitudes are deprived; i.e. in a regrettable
spiritual condition.
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327» 2Tim 2:23 . . Refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that
they produce debating.

Not all speculation is forbidden; only the kind that's absurd and uneducated.

I seriously doubt that 2Tim 2:23 is addressing one's IQ, but rather, the
propensity of some to shoot from the lip without really knowing what they're
talking about and/or having the slightest basis for their perspective.

So; if Christians are to refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, then they
really ought to avoid spouting their own too.

Anyway, the focus is upon debating which, at its worst, consists of running
gun battles, food fights, and perpetual bull sessions that never get to the
bottom of anything.

Academic debates are quite a bit different. Neither side interrupts the other,
nor do they shout to be heard, nor strive to get in the last word; rather,
opponents take turns presenting what they believe to be evidence supporting
their argument until there comes a sensible point in the discussion when
both sides "rest" which is a legal term for concluding all arguments when
neither side has any new evidence to submit.

Sensible discussions are peaceful and orderly whereas running gun battles,
food fights, and perpetual bull sessions typically deteriorate into quarreling,
anger, frustration, animosity, malice, reciprocity, recriminations, accusations,
antagonism, and hurt feelings.

● Phil 1:27 . . Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of
Christ.
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328» 2Tim 2:24a . . The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome

The Greek word translated bond-servant means slave; ether voluntary or
involuntary. Bond servants are different than captive slaves. A bond servant
is typically someone who's entered into a service agreement without
compensation; usually to satisfy a debt.

Although the choice to translate the Greek to indicate a bond servant was
probably done so arbitrarily, it fits the Christian concept of one's allegiance
to Christ.

As regards quarrelling:

Sometimes it's best to follow Han Solo's advice and let the Wookie win
one. In other words; when one is wise; two are happy. Be the wise one and
pick your fights carefully. Don't expend your energies on hot button topics;
they'll just lead to anger, frustration, demeaning comments, and flaming
remarks.

Especially avoid getting into discussions with obtuse individuals driven by a
rather annoying propensity to challenge everything you say simply because
they thrive on endless questions.

Another thing: Do we really have to be right all the time? People are entitled
to a second opinion so let them have one. It's good diplomacy; which can be
defined as skill in handling affairs without arousing hostility, i.e. tact. In
other words: make an effort to not be one of those in-your-face types for
whom every disagreement is an act of war to be won at any cost.
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