1 Timothy 4-6

1 Timothy 4
1-5 False Asceticism

• In the "later" (or last) times, some will renounce the faith, listening to deceitful spirits and demons – and even stronger language – by the hypocrisy of liars who have no conscience.
  
• The signs? Forbidding marriage, demanding abstinence from certain foods.
• Instead, we should be thankful for those. To reject them is to reject gifts from God.

Note: Our devotion to God is not marked by an outward show of self-denial, but by being conscious of the source and thankful for the good things he gives us, such as marriage and food.

6-16 A Good Minister of Jesus Christ: Characteristics

• Instruct the brothers and sisters in what Paul has just written.
• Nourish them on words of faith and sound teaching.
• Reject "profane myths and old wives' tales." I can just see the older women taking Timothy aside and trying to fill his head with their ideas of the way things should be done.
  
• "Train yourself in godliness," which is valuable in every way, both now and in the life to come, unlike physical training, which is short-lived.
  
• Set your hope on the living God, Savior of all people.
• Give no one a reason to criticize your youth, but be a good example.
• Read the scriptures publicly, exhort, teach, be devoted to your gifts, thereby saving both yourself and your hearers.

1 Timothy 5
1-25 Duties toward Believers

• Treat older Christians as you would your own father and mother.
• Honor the widows. Discern those that are indeed widows and need help. Their own families should be their first resource. Families who neglect their widows are worse than unbelievers.
• If the church helps a widow, she must be one who has been involved in good works and an older woman who would not marry again. To help a young widow is to encourage idleness and opens a door for Satan.
• Treat elders with honor. Those who preach and teach should receive pay. Those who accuse elders must have witnesses; elders who sin must be publicly rebuked. Avoid being partial; don't ordain an elder in haste; keep yourself pure.
• Drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach ailments.*
• Some people's sins are easily seen; others remain hidden. Good works will not remain hidden.

1 Timothy 6
1-2 Further Instructions

• Slaves must honor their masters, especially if they are fellow Christians.

3-10 False Teaching and True Riches

• If anyone teaches something different than what Paul has instructed, they are conceited and without understanding, craving controversy, causing envy, slander, suspicion, thinking that that indicates they are godly, from which they gain something. Sadly, I have known such people, who think that the more argumentative they are, the more suspicious and outspoken they are about the faults or misunderstandings of others, the more godly they appear, which gives them a sense of power. Sadly, it often works, as least for a while. In the meantime, they inflict pain on some and destroy the faith of others.
• True godliness does bring reward, but not of monetary value.
• If money is what you love, you'll find it brings about all kinds of evil and denial of faith.

11-19 The Good Fight of Faith

• A man of God will shun all that and seek righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.
• He will fight the good fight of faith, take hold of eternal life, keep the commandments blamelessly.
• He will serve Christ: the Sovereign King of kings and Lord of lords.
• Command the rich not to be haughty or rely on their wealth, but to rely on God, being generous with their possessions.

20-21 Personal Instructions and Benediction

• Guard what has been given to you; avoid profane chatter; it has led some to miss the mark.
• Grace be with you.

Note: One gets the idea that there were some troubles in the church of Ephesus, which may have been exacerbated by the fact that Timothy was young and hadn't gained the respect he deserved. Some were trying to impose their brand of self-denial on others; others were debating non-consequential issues; some were intent on being wealthy, thinking their wrangling would result in some kind of monetary gain; others who were already wealthy were relying more on their wealth than their faith. No wonder Paul was setting forth the characteristics of church leaders and attitudes toward such leaders. *No wonder Timothy was having stomach problems!