1:18-20 Guard Against the Corruption of the Faith

1:18-20 Guard Against the Corruption of the Faith

“This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare.” - 1st Timothy 1:18 (KJV)

“This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight.” – 1st Timothy 1:18 (NASB)

The Inheritance of the Gospel: 1) From Jesus to Paul (Acts 9) 2) From Paul - Spiritual Father 3) To Timothy - Spiritual Son - Pastorate and Leadership 4) To the Offices of the Church

“Commit” (KJV) and “Entrust” (NASB) = paratithēmi - to place beside or near or set before - to place down (from one's self or for one's self) with any one - to deposit The implication was as an Inheritance (the labors of a previous generation).

“…according to the prophecies which went before thee…” (v. 18) - “prophecies” = feminine noun = refers to the Gift of Prophecy (1st Corinthians 12) - 1st Timothy 4:14 (2nd Timothy 1:16)

“This may refer to some predictions by inspired men, relative to what Timothy should be: and he wishes him to act in all things conformably to those predictions. It was predicted that he should have this high and noble calling; but his behaviour in that calling was a matter of contingency, as it respected the use he might make of the grace of his calling.” – Adam Clarke’s Commentary

Note: The calling of God will always be relative to a future role, without regard to current condition. “…the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart…” – 1st Samuel 13:14 (KJV) This statement was made when David was a boy (approx. 13-14 years old) and 38 years before he would ascend to the throne.

The Calling a) God Calls based on His Plan b) A Person moves from Call to Office through preparation and testimony (or credibility). c) When the Person achieves the Office of the Call, the Process of Preparation AND Testimony will unlock the Authority and Influence of the Office.

“…that thou by them mightest war a good warfare.” 1st Timothy 1:18 (KJV) War: a conflict carried on by a force of arms, as between nations or between parties within a nation. War differs from battle in that it is usually a prolonged campaign.

Warfare: the set of techniques used by a group to carry out a war. Before you can lay out strategy, you must know the opponent/enemy, their army and their strategy

Who is the Enemy and What is His Strategy? “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” – 1st Peter 5:8 (KJV)

“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.”

Let no man (“certain”) deceive you by any means: for that day (Rapture) shall not come, except there come a falling away first(“apostasy”), and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition” – 2nd Thessalonians 2:1-3 (KJV)

“Son of Perdition” is used twice. - John 17:12, refers to Judas (alludes to Daniel’s descriptions for the Antichrist) Perdition: the progression of an evil character who produces ruin in others. - Historically, Adam was given a title after his fall. (“Man of Iniquity”)

The Threat Against the Doctrine (Apostasy) Comes From Within the Church. “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” – 1st Timothy 1:19-20 (KJV)

“Holding Faith” (w/good conscious) - relative to the Doctrine “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” – Ephesians 6:16 (KJV)

Doctrine = Immutable points of truth - Salvation, Holy Spirit, Holiness, Marriage, End Times Traditions/Standards = ecclesiastical, biblical principles that serve to identify and protect. *Paul is focused on the Doctrine of the Gospel (Salvation).

“..which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck.” – 1st Timothy 1:18 (KJV) - “put away” = “thrust down” (cast aside forcefully) - It is a WILLFUL (if not, violent) rejection of the Doctrine.

How? “Whoever does not keep a good conscience, loses also by little and little, the gift of understanding.” – Geneva Bible (Calvin, Knox, and Cloverdale) Conscious - Internal or self-knowledge, or judgment of right and wrong (Webster) - Holy Spirit

“Shipwreck” “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” – Ephesians 4:14 (KJV) Literally, “Unto the method of deceit.”

“[Shipwreck]is an entire destruction of faith - as a ship is wholly ruined that strikes on a rock and sinks.” – Barnes “These, therefore, were once true believers: yet they fell not only foully, but finally; for ships once wrecked cannot be afterwards saved.” – Wesley

Hymenaeus - 2nd Timothy 2:17-18, mentioned w/Philetus (“a dangerous man”) “Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.” (v. 18 – KJV) *Possibly influenced by the rising Gnosticism.

Alexander - The coppersmith, 2nd Timothy 4:14 - Possibly, Acts 19:33 “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works.” – 2nd Timothy 4:14 (KJV)

“…whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” - 1st Timothy 1:20 (KJV) “To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” – 1st Corinthians 5:5 (KJV)

*Some scholars argue that the apostles had the ability to inflict disease. - Ananias and Saphira (Acts 5) - An allusion to Miriam (Numbers 12) Excommunication (out of communion) - Restoration (of the offender to right behavior) - Reconciliation (between the offender and God) *Systematic Theology - Wayne Grudem

Blasphemy – any word, gesture, action, or even thought that is purposely offensive to God. “Herefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.” – Matt. 12:31-32 (KJV)

Context: The Sadducees and Pharisees claimed Jesus was able to heal or deliver because he was possessed of demons. - Doubting the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit leads man to salvation. - When man rejects salvation, he is rejecting God’s ability to save, thus, producing condemnation. - Hymenaeus and Alexander not only rejected the Doctrine, but taught against it.

NEXT WEEK: 1st Timothy 2:1-8 “To Pray for Others”

1:18-20 Guard Against the Corruption of the Faith