Big Bear Devo

1 Timothy 1

Setting Apart Young Men

Picking up from a previous conversation, Paul reiterates his command to Timothy to remain in Ephesus. This letter is one side of the story. Reading until verse 7 will help us learn some of the context.

As young men we can hear Paul’s initial command as a primal call for glory and honor to protect the faith by shunning all the false teachers. There is real danger in these false teachings spreading. However, the end goal is love which comes from a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith.

We must set ourselves apart. It is our love that best identifies us as Jesus’ disciples according to John 13:35.

He distinguishes Timothy from the rest by pointing others’ desire to teach something just for more fame and credibility. But the law they are teaching goes against the nature of the law itself. It is not meant for the righteous who live freely to please God. They are for the wicked to restrain evil.

12–14: flex to humble brag

15-17: major humble pill.

Stay in Ephesus in such an impossible, unpleasant situation because if God can use me, Paul, God can use you too in such a difficult situation.

STAY AND BE FAITHFUL

Verse 15 connects to 1 Cor 15:8 about Paul calling himself as “one untimely born” which means abortion. There is no debate over the preference between having a premature birth or a healthy delivery. Paul feels like he’s a premature birth. Why would someone choose me? How useful could I be compared to a healthy birth like the rest of the apostles? Didn’t have the same experience and training as the other disciples.

As Paul urges Timothy to fight the good fight, he mentions those who have lost in the fight. Not everyone wins. As a minister of the gospel, you must be set apart. The false teachers are mentioned as a couplet. Paul gives no positive reference to Timothy.

18-20: God has spoken over Timothy’s life and Paul is set on seeing God’s faithfulness through on it. Not everyone is a ‘winner.’

Sometimes as young men we feel there is more going against us than going for us. Encouragement could be scarce. God’s work may seem stagnant in our ministry efforts.

But Paul’s letter to Timothy acknowledges all of these insecurities:

• his personal effectiveness
• unworthiness
• losing comrades
• more leaving than entering the faith

Stay and be faithful. If God can use Paul, He can use you.