1 Timothy – Part 5

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Instructions for the Kehillah ~ Part 5

Reason for Instructions

¹⁴ I hope to visit you soon, but I am writing these things

Sha’ul wanted them to know of his interest in coming to see them soon, but he also wanted them to know that it might not be possible.

¹⁵ so that if I am delayed, you may know how one should behave in the household of God, which is the Messianic Community of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

This is a significant verse in the letter. It states Sha’ul’s reason for writing and provides a threefold description of the Kehilah’s identity and mission. Household refers to the Kehilah as God’s family with reference to the governing of the family. The phrase Messianic Community of the living God highlights the Kehilah as the gathering where God most clearly shows His presence. The Kehilah, as the pillar and foundation of the truth means that God has entrusted to the Kehilah the task of promoting and protecting the Gospel.

¹⁶ Great beyond all question is the formerly hidden truth underlying our faith:

He was manifested physically

and proved righteous spiritually,

seen by angels

and proclaimed among the nations,

trusted throughout the world

and raised up in glory to heaven^..

Again, the phrase hidden truth refers to the Gospel (v. 9). This verse contains a poetic exposition of the Gospel.

Human Doctrines

4 ¹ The Spirit expressly states that in the acharit-hayamim, some people will apostatize from the faith by paying attention to deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

The Ruach expressly states in a prophecy, possibly that of Acts 20:28-31, which Sha’ul directed explicitly to the Believers in Ephesus, where Timothy was. In the acharit-hayamim, which refers to the End Times (which are already here, according to 1 Corinthians 10:11). So, we need not say that people will apostatize from the faith only in the future (as at 2 Thessalonians 2:3)—they are doing it already. What kinds of deceiving spirits and things taught by demons are they paying attention to? (On the reality of demons, see Mattityahu 4:24.)

² Such teachings come from the hypocrisy of liars whose own consciences have been burned, as if with a red-hot branding iron.

Such demonic teachings come from the hypocrisy of liars. The devil uses human means. These false teachers are referred to at Acts 20:28-31; 2 Thessalonians 2:6; 2 Kefa 3:1–3a; 1 Yochanan 2:18-23, 4:1-6; 2 Yochanan 7.

³ They forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods which God created to be eaten with thanksgiving by those who have come to trust and to know the truth. ⁴ For everything created by God is good, and nothing received with thanksgiving needs to be rejected, ⁵ because the word of God and prayer make it holy.

God created both marriage and food to be partaken of with thanksgiving. Compare Romans 14:5-6 and the caution at 1 Corinthians 10:30-31. In Jewish tradition, there are blessings said at a wedding ceremony, and grace is said both before and after meals. The b’rakhah before meals (Mt 14:19N) is short; afterwards, on a full stomach, one can be thankful at greater length for what one has just eaten.

Instructions to Timothy ~ Part 1

⁶ If you present all this to the brothers, you will be serving the Messiah Yeshua well; it will show that you have digested the words of the faith and of the good teaching which you have followed. ⁷ But refuse godless bubbe-meises [Bubbe-meises, Yiddish for “grandmother’s stories,”], and exercise yourself in godliness. ⁸ For although physical exercise does have some value, godliness is valuable for everything, since it holds promise both for the present life and for the life to come. ⁹ Here is a statement you can trust, one that fully deserves to be accepted ¹⁰ (indeed, it is for this that we toil and strive): we have our hope set on a living God who is the deliverer of all humanity, especially of those who trust.

God is the deliverer (1 Timothy 1:1) of all humanity (1 Timothy 2:4-7, Yochanan 3:16), especially of those who trust. The word “especially” reminds us that Romans 2:14–15 seems to allow the possibility that some who do not profess faith in Yeshua, perhaps because they do not have cognitive knowledge of the Gospel, may nevertheless be saved; but see the note there for the necessary cautions against using this concept to excuse not accepting Yeshua as the Messiah.

In today’s politically charged environment, there’s often pressure to compromise your beliefs for acceptance. 1 Timothy 4:1-5 warns against such withdrawals from faith. Commit to staying informed about current events through a biblical lens. Attend a local group that discusses faith and politics, where you can learn how to articulate your beliefs and engage civilly. This way, you’ll not only grow in your understanding but also find community support as you navigate public life with integrity.

In our next post, we will continue to examine Sha’ul’s First Letter to Timothy.

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