Mr. D's Notes on I Timothy
Rev. Stanley L. Derickson Ph.D.
Copyright 2000

CHAPTER 30

DOING THE DEW JUST WON'T DO IT!

We will be looking at DO IT in verse twelve, HOW TO DO IT in verses thirteen and fourteen, and WHY DO IT in verses fifteen and sixteen.

I. DO IT

Verse 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

This is one verse that some believers do not know is in the Bible. Many today tell the lost that they need to accept the Lord so that they can find true peace - HOGWASH! Becoming a Christian places you between the Devil and Christ and they are at war! You do not enter into a life of peace when you become a Christian. In America today we have it very good, but not all believers have it this easy. Today we have believers being killed for their faith in the world.

Fight the good fight - keep at it even when it is ruff - FIGHT - don't surrender!

Lay hold on eternal life because you are called to it and it is the only flight in town going up! Not that you have to hold on so you don't loose it, but hold on as it is your life - there is nothing else. Paul reminds them of their faithful witness before many - of their relationship with God.

Just what does it mean to fight the good fight?

1. Within the context we find that it includes Godliness and a godly walk as well as the close companion of these, having heavenly goals not earthly.

That kind of sets the parameters in my mind. If you are aimed toward heavenly goals and godliness then all Satan's forces will be aimed at you! We can expect nothing less than temptation, troubles, trials, discouragement and all those other items the Devil likes to throw in front of us.

2. Paul mentions this phrase also in II Timothy 2.7 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith:" To Paul fighting the good fight was keeping the faith. In one of the following verses Paul relates this to loving Christ's appearing. This seems to relate to number one. Keeping our goals on high with our Lord.

What is keeping the faith? Walking according to what the Bible teaches us. Following after the Lord's leading and Word. Being obedient to God's commands and seeking His promises.

3. Paul in Ephesians 6.11-13 mentions "11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

This pictures the fight or battle that we are in as believers. We are to put on the armor of God and fight the battle. Note, God supplies the armor for us but we need to put it on and use it. Note also it is a standing battle - don't advance - just hold the line.

4. The word translated “fight” is the word we gain our word “agonize” from. It is also translated “strive” and “labor fervently.” This is the thought of working up a terribly big perspiration!

This relates to something that the faint hearted are not going to enjoy very much. STRIVE, LABOR FERVENTLY FOR GOD!

The second term translated “fight” is akin to the other word, but is actually used of the arena that the Olympic games were played in. The thought is of a struggle for a prize.

Lay hold has the thought of take to one self - to take in addition to or take for one’s own use.

There is a lot of controversy about just what this means. Those that do not believe in eternal security naturally suggest that we have to HANG ONTO ETERNAL LIFE, GRASP IT, GET YOUR HOOKS INTO IT LEST IT BE TAKEN AWAY FROM YOU! However, I see noting about taking away in the passage.

It seems to MacArthur that Paul is telling Timothy to "get a grip" on what salvation is, learn of it so you can live your life as you should. I think that is a good approach to the phrase.

II. HOW TO DO IT

Verse 13. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and [before] Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

Put yourself in Timothy's place at this point. Paul says, I CHARGE YOU BEFORE GOD AND CHRIST JESUS - capital letters are mine, but the words must have jumped out at Timothy - this must be important - especially in light of the fact that Paul used the same terminology in the previous chapter verse twenty one.

Paul uses the attribute of God's being the fountain of life. Barnes suggests " Perhaps he means to say, that God is the source of life, and that as he had given life to Timothy--natural and spiritual--he had a right to require that it should be employed in his service; and that, if, in obedience to this charge and in the performance of his duties, he should be required to lay down his life, he should bear in remembrance, that God had power to raise him up again."

Paul adds in the phrase "who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession" to his charge. Christ when facing DEATH was able to witness a good confession - so you Timothy, get with and keep with the program and do the same! (Christ's confession is found in John 18.33-38; 19.8-11)

Barnes suggests that Paul may have been referring to the fact that Christ stood before Pilate and refused to detract from the truth - and the implication being to Timothy - if you face death, give no quarter to truth.

Pontius Pilate is well known to most anyone that has lived through an Easter service in most any church. He was the sixth procurator of Judah - the man that found no guilt in Christ, but allowed the Jews to crucify Him anyway.

Could we say that Paul is totally putting the pressure on here? He did it for you, now the least you can do for Him is the same!

Verse 14 That thou keep [this] commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Just what commandment?

1. Some commentaries suggest the Gospel, though it is an invitation not a commandment, thus I would opt to the verse referring back to verse eleven and twelve.

2. Stedman suggests that it is the commandment to love one another in the upper room that was given to the apostles. I tend to think that the apostle Paul could have made it a little more clear if that were the commandment he had in mind.

3. Adam Clarke states that it is "That the commandment itself-the whole doctrine of Christ, should be kept entire. 2. That his life should be agreeable to that doctrine. Keep it without spot-let there be no blot on the sacred book;"

He goes on to state that this was a command for Timothy to hand down that same doctrine and lifestyle to others until the coming of the Lord. I don't see that in the passage, though it is quite in keeping with II Timothy 2.2 which mentions "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."

4. I would assume it probably refers back to the phrase "fight the good fight of faith” just mentioned in verse twelve. Of course my favorite commentator agrees with me - Barnes notes.

Do it without spot and so completely that no one can rebuke you about how you keep it. In short DO IT RIGHT! DON'T DEVIATE FROM IT EVER - do well till the Lord comes.

This thought of perfection is used of our Lord in I Pet. 1.19 where it speaks of Christ the perfect Lamb and His shed blood. "But with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:"

The same word is used to encourage believers to have pure lives in James 1.21 and II Pet 3.14 as well.

The term translated “appearing” is the word we gain our word “epiphany” from. Epiphany relates to a glorious manifesting or appearing. The Greek word is used in Greek mythology of a god coming in visible form and usually to help or assist someone.

III. WHY DO IT

These two verses seem to be just a little introduction to the Savior we serve - just kind of a thumbnail sketch if you will.

Verse 15 Which in his times he shall shew, [who is] the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

"only potentate" is of interest. Only sets this one above all other potentates, indeed, declares Him to be the only true potentate. Potentate refers to one with great authority. We are not speaking here of a city councilman, or a state senator, or even a president of a country. We are speaking of the only real authority JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.

We are talking the king over all other kings, we are talking about the Lord over all lords, we are talking the big one, we are talking the biggest - nobody above this authority - I trust you are getting the picture.

This passage overflows with the respect and awe which Paul seems to have for his Lord and Master. Christ moves in these short verses from the criminal before Pilate to the King of kings and Lord of lords. An awesome Person that we have the opportunity of serving.

Consider this as you rethink the chapter. We serve a master, and Paul has set forth some very important principles in how we should do this. (for further on this declaration see Deut. 10.17; Rev. 17.124; 19.16)

Verse 16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom [be] honour and power everlasting. Amen.

It almost seems to me that Paul just spouts off about his Lord and Savior - he just doesn't seem to be able to contain himself.

This verse speaks to the glory of God that is mentioned in the Old Testament. Moses was hidden in the cleft of the rock while God passed by and was affected physically by viewing just what he could see when hidden - in fact the idea of the passage seems to be that he saw what was left after God passed by. (See also Ps. 104.2; James 1.17; I Jo. 1.5; Jo 1.18; Ex. 33.20-23; Jo. 6.46; Col. 1.15; I Jo 4.12; Gen. 32.30; Rev. 22.3,4)

The glory of God cannot be viewed by pre-resurrection man. We cannot stand the glory.

Within the eternal state we find that God is the light by which we will do whatever we will be doing. He is the light! Rev. 21.5 tells us " And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light : and they shall reign for ever and ever."

Immortality relates to not being subject to death.

Barnes states concerning immortality "Creatures have immortality only as they derive it from him, and of course are dependent on him for it. He has it by his very nature, and it is in his case underived, and he cannot be deprived of it. It is one of the essential attributes of his being, that he will always exist, and that death cannot reach him."

Since we have such a marvelous God, we ought to do marvelous things for Him.

Tozer rightly mentions "The history of mankind will probably show that no people has ever risen above its religion, and man's spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of god....For this reason the gravest question before the Church is always God Himself, and the most portentous fact about any man is not what he at a given time may say or do but what he in his deep heart conceives God to be like....Were we able to extract from any man a complete answer to the question, "What comes into your mind when you think about God?" we might predict with certainty the spiritual future of that man." (THE MACARTHUR NEW TESTAMENT COMMENTARY I TIMOTHY; John MacArthur; Moody Press; Chicago; 1995; p 270 Quoting P 9 of Tozar's THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY.)

I trust we think very highly of our God!

I would like to think a little while about the phrase "to whom be honour and power everlasting."

Just what is meant here? As I read the text I have the feeling that the honor and power are items that man is to give forth to God. Not that God needs any power - He is all powerful, but that we give Him further power in some manner.

Just how in the world can puny man give the all powerful, completely honorable God honor and power?

Might I suggest some items for you to consider?

HONOR

1. Acknowledging Him as The King of kings and Lord of lords.

2. Living a life which reflects well upon Him and His Word.

3. Sharing our faith with those that we meet. This shows that we really believe in the salvation that we have been given.

4. Giving of our life, mind, and material realm to Him and His service.

POWER

1. Power to rule in our lives - giving Him free reign in our lives to improve us, to use us, and to mature us.

2. Working within the church to improve the work of the Lord so that the ministry of the church can spread into the community and other people's lives.

I think that the truth of the above two (giving God power and honor) items is viewable in our own country. In years past, this was a relatively godly nation. Today godliness is on the radical decline.

God used to have power in this nation. His morals were held widely, His Word was read widely, His church was strong. Today we see little in the way of morals, we see little in the area of using His Word, and the church is weak to the point of being near irrelevant in our society.

Might I chase a rabbit a moment? I was looking for a book online and found a disturbing trend.

Fundamentalism in years past was a proud and honorable belief system. It produced men like Tozer, Torrey and Chafer - men that did great things for God.

Today fundamentalism has been demonized and totally confused. Christians are condemning it in books and the media when they get the chance.

They have tied fundamentalism to the radical element of the charismatic movement and their politics and antics and are condemning fundamentalism for it when most of these men were not true fundamentalists in the first place. Most of them would reject the writings of the early fundamentalists.

Fundamentalist is not a four-letter word. If you don't know what it means get a book on it from Torrey or Tozer and learn of it.

In closing I would like to share some thoughts concerning William Carey.

Carey, the father of modern missions.

In Carey's many years of missionary service he was faced with many many trials and problems yet he was able to continue. He himself defined his secret. "I can plod. I can persevere in any definite pursuit. To this I owe everything."

As I talk to believers I find plodding is what the Christian life is about. Plodding day after day in His steps.

He had many problems with allergies so could not become the gardener that he desired to be.

He was apprenticed as a cobbler from age 16 to 28. Carey married his Master’s sister-in-law in 1781 and when his master died he supported the widow and family as well as his own family.

His wife could not read and this became a problem in their marriage as he expanded his life.

There was great poverty in the family.

In 1785 he accepted a call to pastor a Particular Baptist Church and later moved onto a larger church in Leicester. He worked to support his family.

He became convinced that it was the churches responsibility to reach the lost with the Good News. Most of his day felt that the great commission was given to the apostles and not incumbent upon the Christian community.

He presented some of his ideas before some fellow ministers and one of the comments came, "Young man, sit down. When God pleases to convert the heathen, He will do it without your aid or mine." He went on to call Carey a "Young miserable enthusiast".

He later addressed a gathering of ministers and spoke from Is. 54:2-3 and used his now famous words, "Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God."

From this meeting grew the Particular Baptist Society For Propagating the Gospel Among the Heathen.

He later was part of starting a mission to the lost.

Carey's decision to go to India was a rousing success at home.

His church was upset over losing their pastor.

His father judged him "mad."

And last but not least his wife refused to go.

She is not the mother of modern missions.

Carey made plans to leave which included his 8-year old son Felix.

In March 1793, after much deputation, Carey, Felix, and another missionary, named Thomas and his family set sail. The voyage ended at Portsmouth, England when they were put off the ship. They had not obtained a proper license and Thomas had many upset creditors desiring to see him stay around awhile.

The delay worked out for the better due to the fact that Dorothy, his wife, had delivered the baby and had begrudgingly agreed to join her husband if she could take a little sister with her.

Carey raised the additional funds and set sail in June of 1793.

The East India Co. was in total control of the country and disliked missionaries for they feared they would upset their economic windfall.

Carey fearing they would be sent home moved the family interior and soon the family was down with Malaria.

His problems were increased due to the nagging of his wife and her sister. What's more the Thomas family was living in Calcutta in great style while they were living in poverty and disease.

A Mr. Short of the East India Co. opened his home to the Carey's until they were well and they moved 300 miles north to Malda where Carey became a foreman in an indigo factory.

Dorothy's sister married Mr. Short and this left Dorothy alone many miles away. She was very unstable mentally and when their son Peter died in 1794 she went insane. Co-workers described her as "wholly deranged".

In spite of all the family problems Carey used the job not only to support himself but to learn the language and to evangelize. He did much work on translation.

There was a time when the family lived in a compound with others where they learned to get along by overlooking the faults of one another. Of course it was Carey that did most of the overlooking.

Carey translated three entire Bibles. (Bengali, Sanskrit, and Marathi). Portions of Scripture and New Testaments were translated into other languages as well.

The quality of his work did not match the quantity however. He sent one of his works to England and he was admonished to do much better. He reviewed it himself and judged it ununderstandable.

He did not give up but returned to go over his work and rework it until he felt that it could be understood.

In 1807 Dorothy Carey died. He had done much of his translation work with his wife in the next room raving and screaming.

In 1808, just six months after Dorothy's burial he married Lady Charlotte Rumohr of Danish royalty. This marriage was naturally opposed by all his coworkers.

She died in 1821.

Carey again married two years later at the age of 62 and his bride was 17 years younger. Her name was Grace.

Carey sustained what to most would have been the twig that broke the camel's back. He had several manuscripts in a warehouse and it burned along with all his work. This did not stop him, but he continued on and began the work over again.

I cannot imagine how Carey must have felt over losing a Polyglot dictionary, Two grammar books, and whole versions of the Bible that were one of a kind. He returned to work to replace them.

The final trial the poor man faced was that his original mission basically broke ties with him.

Carey died in 1834.

"His influence in India went beyond his massive linguistic accomplishments, his educational institutions, and the Christian following he shepherded. He also made a notable impact on harmful Indian practices through his long struggle against widow burning and infanticide. But otherwise, he sought to leave the culture intact." p. 121 from Jerusalem to Irian Jaya

He wrote just after his father died in 1825, "I, however, never intended to return to England when I left it, and unless something very unexpected were to take place, I certainly shall not do it....My heart is wedded to India; and though I am of little use, I feel a pleasure in doing the little I can." p 251 WILLIAM CAREY MISSIONARY PIONEER AND STATESMAN by F. Deaville Walker.

A man that laid "hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."

"Though I am of little use, I feel a pleasure in doing the little I can." The man that started the modern missions movement. A man that fought the good fight.

How are you going to live the rest of your life?