Jehovah's Witnesses Straight Talk - Forum/Blog

The book of 1 Timothy

Chapter 2

1Tim.2:1 I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men:
2:2 for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence.
2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; 2:4 who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth.

What does it hurt a Christian's to give? This sounds like a strange question, but its not, if we actually walk in love as our Heavenly Father has shown us. God lets it rain upon the righteous, and the unrighteous, he has made four season and a beautiful planet earth for all to prospers upon. Does it begrudge God that he is so generous that he does good even towards his enemies?

Matt.5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, 5:45 that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. 5:46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don't even the tax collectors do the same? 5:47 If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don't even the tax collectors do the same? 5:48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Should not all Christian's seek peace in a world where so little peace is found? Yes, those of the flesh must stir up controversy to be happy and get excitement, but not so with Christian's. Here the apostle Paul perhaps shocks these brothers and sisters with such counsel, pray for human leaders, wow! The Roman empire killed Christian's and for that very reason all the more pray for them God touches their hearts so Christian's can live a life of peace. Yes, we should pray for all men generously, unlike begrudging politician seeking to undue an enemy over a political agenda.

Titus 3:1 Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
3:2 to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men. 3:3 For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
3:4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, 3:5 not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

God sent his son to died for all humans, its not our job to decide whom will get saved by our doctrinal judgments, it is our job to keep praying for peace upon them, its our job to pray for one another in faith, its our job to leave such decision of Kingship in the very capable hands of Christ Jesus. We are tested in this, for its easier to hate and begrudge someone our blessings, but if we do as Paul ask us we will find much peace in faith, knowing God is never unrighteous, he will never make a wrong judgment, he will never condone and evil, he will never deny us. And really isn't that what we would want for all, even if they never obtain it? Would you rather stand before our creator knowing that you didn't spend a life time hating your enemies just to see Christ seat on his throne the one that love us while we were yet enemies of God? Release and you will be released.

1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice{"atoning sacrifice" is from the Greek "hilasmos," an appeasing, propitiating, or the means of appeasement or propitiation--the sacrifice that turns away God's wrath because of our sin.} for our sins.

1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another.

1Tim.2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 2:6 who gave himself as a ransom for all; the testimony in its own times;
2:7 to which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth in Christ, not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

There is no clearer chain of command than what the apostle Paul speaks here. From God to Christ to us, no other headship, not many headships below Christ, but man over woman and children honoring their parents. In other words, whom can say: “I mediate between God and man? Yet many do wittingly and unwittingly by actions and teachings, make such a boast. The question is why would a religion or a person put themselves into Christ position as mediator between God and man?

2 Thessalonians 2:4 he who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshiped; so that he sits as God in the temple of God, setting himself up as God.

Matt. 23:7 the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called 'Rabbi, Rabbi' by men. 23:8 But don't you be called 'Rabbi,' for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers. 23:9 Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven. 23:10 Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ. 23:11 But he who is greatest among you will be your servant.

Well, we should understand Paul's words in context, Moses through God's law was Israel mediator, than others spoke to God in his holy of hollies, but no human could fill Christ shoes in being the mediator between God and men. Hence, Paul dealt with many trying to bring back parts of the old law as their headship mixing it into the new covenant which pollutes the new covenant into a yeast kingdom, by works of law that are dead in Christ as the unleavened bread without sin and is judgments by laws for the wicked.

Rom.7:3 So then if, while the husband lives, she is joined to another man, she would be called an adulteress. But if the husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is no adulteress, though she is joined to another man. 7:4 Therefore, my brothers, you also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you would be joined to another, to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit to God.

Rom.8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.{NU omits "who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit"} 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.
8:3 For what the law couldn't do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh; 8:4 that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 8:6 For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace;

Paul was not a preacher of the old law or of the fleshly Israel, he was a preacher of Christ and him alone impaled for our sins. If brothers and sisters set up others to plead God's old law there were going through another mediator rather that be a teacher or a newly formed religion. Christ was their head, none other could insert themselves into Christ position that God would honor over his Son glorified position in the spiritual heavens.

Heb.1:1 God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 1:2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds. 1:3 His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself made purification for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 1:4 having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have.

To be God's mediator God must appointed the person declaring them righteous, without sin. Under the law, a priest or even Moses must first make atonement for their sins and than offer sacrifice sins for the people, but only if God made them leader over his people. But not so under Christ. God himself had declared Christ righteous without sin, in no need of sacrifice of blood to cleanse him because he is the sinless lamb of God atoning once for all times the sins of those putting faith in him as their mediator between man and God.

Hebrews 9:28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, without sin, to those who are eagerly waiting for him for salvation.

There was no need for another better or perfect mediator, accept for those deceived by self-importance enslaving others back into sins and its corruption. None had to approach a man as their priest, none had to approach a religion as their mediator, none had to pray through some saint for forgiveness of their sins. None should put an idol upon the throne of God, which Christ was appointed to set upon and judge for God in righteousness. No lesser mediator could make one sinless, by their rules and laws, not one could declare themselves righteous by doing some good works. In other words, there is only one person that can save us by his righteous sinless life, there is only one person that can talk to God for us, there is only one King we bow to in full submission.

Heb.2:9 But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone. 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

No prophet can talk to God for you, no prophet can say: “I have information that will save you and declare you righteous!” No! Only Christ can and has saved us right now by faith in his position of leader, prophet, and mediator between God and man.

John 10:10 The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.

John 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.

John 20:31 but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

John 6:47 Most certainly, I tell you, he who believes in me has eternal life.

1Tim.2:8 I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubting.

It is not the nature of man to live at peace with one another, they fight and debate most subjects, competing with each other on almost every level. It is expected in this world and is their nature from boy-hood into adult-hood. But here apostle Paul address a new nature that each born again child of God has which is of praying and lifting up holy hands in peace and unity with other body members they share Christ glory with.

2 Peter 3:14 Therefore, beloved, seeing that you look for these things, be diligent to be found in peace, without blemish and blameless in his sight.

First, Paul opens his letter to Timothy with the key issue of division and debates, this is a hard subject for most because one has to be born again in Christ to perceive why Paul speak so often about the law, for that was the key issue that divided the body of Christ into wars, but how?

James 4:1 Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don't they come from your pleasures that war in your members?

Galatians 3:5 He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you, and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?

We are speaking about two natures, one of Christ, and the other of our fallen flesh, the flesh nature is to compete for supremacy over others intellectually, and/or physically, it must compete to survive and prosperous in this world from work to school. When we speak of the fallen flesh nature we speak of sin, and it lust found in our fallen flesh that makes up the nature of the world we live in. The world of the flesh is set up and controlled by laws for the flesh, laws than if you will, for the wicked.

1Tim.1:9 as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 1:10 for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine;

In other words, laws for the flesh judge what? The evils of the flesh, much more so they punish the flesh with crimes, penalties, sanctioning it for inappropriate conduct. This judging of the flesh can than in itself become a competition for the fleshly person to set themselves up as superior to others. Here Paul opens the letter of Timothy with a shocking statement; the law was created for whom, the wicked, and not the righteous!

James 2:12 So speak, and so do, as men who are to be judged by a law of freedom.

James 4:11 Don't speak against one another, brothers. He who speaks against a brother and judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.

Now we turn to Christ nature, which indwells a child of God, in the nature of Christ personality found in each of his body members? What is Christ nature? Ror one, it is the exact opposite of the world, and its vile competition for supremacy through laws created for the wicked. Each child of God must first understand Christ is not being judged by his Father for sinful acts in his flesh, not even those of his body members that still sin in their flesh. Christ is not flesh nor does he have any desire to sin in his flesh. So let us separate truth from our own fallen flesh. Angry debates rage from the flesh and not the Spirit found in Christ, those debates end up in judgment of our flesh, or someone else flesh, which if we are in Christ we should be free from judgments of the fallen flesh, because it is dead in Christ.

James 1:25 But he who looks into the perfect law of freedom, and continues, not being a hearer who forgets, but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he does.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow. 1:18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. 1:19 So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;
1:20 for the anger of man doesn't produce the righteousness of God. 1:21 Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls{or, preserve your life.}. 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves.

Next, unwittingly most Christian's will bring back parts of the law to beat their enemy in a debate declaring their opponent unrighteous by such laws created for the wicked. The concept that one will win in setting another right by such debates is an illusion of the fleshly nature of this world. It increases judgment and anger creating more fleshly acts not found in Christ. None of God's children entering into fleshly debates will be left untouched by works of the flesh they fall under judgment and will be discipline until they stop relying upon fleshly acts for salvation!

1Cor.11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup. 11:29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he doesn't discern the Lord's body. 11:30 For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep. 11:31 For if we discerned ourselves, we wouldn't be judged. 11:32 But when we are judged, we are punished by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

1Tim.2:9 In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety; not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing; 2:10 but (which becomes women professing godliness) with good works.

What is Paul's point here? Well, many justify his words becoming extreme either right or left of them, but actually they are much simpler than that. Is there appropriate dress for a godly man? If yes, than so there must be for a woman. Are Christian's making a show in their flesh? Some would say yes, but Christ would say no!
James 5:3 Your gold and your silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be for a testimony against you, and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up your treasure in the last days.

1 Peter 1:24 For, "All flesh is like grass, and all of man's glory like the flower in the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls.

2 Peter 2:10 but chiefly those who walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries.

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn't the Father's, but is the world's.

Are godly men and woman acting shocking, rude, and/or provocative in clothing? Is the secret person of the heart, that is, in Christ acting sexual, inciting the lust of the opposite sex? Here than is the problem how can a person be part of the world in their conduct when they as Christian's are dead to the world? In other words, if we walk by Spirit why are we acting like the flesh?

Romans 8:10 If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

2 Corinthians 5:16 Therefore we know no one after the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.

This really is the core of the issue if your fighting for recognition are you a Christian's walking in the Spirit? if your fighting for rights than whom are you fighting against flesh or Spirit? When a Christian's man or woman has Christ indwelling them they do not need a group, or church, nor religious organization telling them how to be modest and dress like the secret person of their heart Christ Jesus. But those still walking by flesh and living for the flesh need someone to constantly make them do what is right in their flesh.

2 Corinthians 4:11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal flesh.

Although, men of the flesh running powerful organization(s) of religion have made it an sexist issues the issues of modesty of dress is not sexiest at all for those indwelt with the holiness of Christ. Nether can a man loving Christ dress shockingly, nor a woman, not unless they are making a statement in their flesh, which is dead in Christ.

Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.

Romans 8:9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn't have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his.

When such become an issues than it becomes an issue of walking in the flesh a division in Christ which does not exist at all. A division in Christ is a flesh problem among those not in Christ, but instead in the world legislating laws for the sinful flesh and its natural inclination towards works of the flesh.

Those in Christ are united in the oneness of Spirit found in the Temple of God, where flesh and blood does not exist, but fruit of Holy Spirit which kills the sinful flesh and its lust.

Gal.5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire. 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness,
5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, 5:21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,{or, faithfulness} 5:23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 5:24 Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let's also walk by the Spirit. 5:26 Let's not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another.

1Tim. 2:11 Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection.
2:12 But I don't permit a woman to teach, nor to exercise authority over a man, but to be in quietness. 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 2:14 Adam wasn't deceived, but the woman, being deceived, has fallen into disobedience; 2:15 but she will be saved through her childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and sanctification with sobriety.

Here we come upon the ultimate question for the flesh, which is, how important is salvation? Some would have a person believe that a passion in life, is more important than their salvation, such as teaching. There are those whom think their teaching is more important than obedience to God, and Christ that without their ability in teaching some would be deprived of salvation, but is that true?

1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. His commandments are not grievous.

Well, it is a strong argument which comes down to a desire they have to teach others God's truth, but according to the apostle Paul here no matter how strong a person desires are to teach within God's congregation of anointed son's of God a woman should not take authority over a man, what authority? As a teacher a director of God's works in the body of Christ. Her being saved through her conduct outweigh her needs to teach over men in God's congregation. It would seem no matter how powerful she felt or demanded that she be God's channel it did not outweigh her eternal salvation.

1 John 3:18 My little children, let's not love in word only, neither with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.

Many take offensive at Paul's counsel here, rewriting in making into a felicitous argument of male control siting the history of abuse by men through religion, but the question is, should woman than be allowed to abuse men in return, by disobeying what God says they must do?

1 John 3:10 In this the children of God are revealed, and the children of the devil. Whoever doesn't do righteousness is not of God, neither is he who doesn't love his brother.

1 Peter 1:22 Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, love one another from the heart fervently.

Is God impartial here, is he unfair? Well such is a personal question each person has to ask about everything in the bible? Was God being unfair for having no salvation in no other name but Christ Jesus? Was he unfair setting up one king at a time over Israel, not making everybody a king who had the passion to rule? Was God unfair when he chose his prophets, not all in Israel were prophets, some may have had the passion and decided to pursue their lust for prophesying, but did God send them and bless those false prophets?

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him.

Titus 2:1 But say the things which fit sound doctrine,
2:2 that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, sound in faith, in love, and in patience: 2:3 and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; 2:4 that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,
2:5 to be sober minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God's word may not be blasphemed.

You see when those of God's anointed compare teachings, or flesh against flesh, or prophecy for their stamp of approval of someone they like it does not matter one wit with God. When a religion, or a person declares their teaching and works is from God it does not matter one iota with God. What they have done is approval themselves by themselves nothing more. If a woman choose to be disobedient to God, as though she alone from Eve has the special right to overrule God's word in the matter of authority over man it does not matter to God one wit. She like all men must face the lost of salvation for themselves and others, she like a man will be held accountable for such actions no matter how strong she or other men feels in this matter of fairness. Eve was deceived by her strong emotions to be free of Adam's headship no matter what blessing she thought she would bring to both of them and her children it ended in God being proved right and all men/woman being proved liars.

1Cor.4:1 So let a man think of us as Christ's servants, and stewards of God's mysteries. 4:2 Here, moreover, it is required of stewards, that they be found faithful. 4:3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by man's judgment. Yes, I don't judge my own self.

Not one thing good came from Eves strong desire of taking headship over Adam's authority, and according to the apostle Paul nothing good will come from woman taking a man position within the congregation of Christ, but more seeds of the flesh being planted and a crop of weeds leading to death.

1Tim.3:13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 3:14 But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. 3:15 From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.

Romans 5:19 For as through the one man's disobedience many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one, many will be made righteous.

2 Corinthians 10:5 throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

Completed on: February 20, 2014

by: Daniel a Slave of Christ Jesus