Lawrence DeMetrius

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Letter of Apostle Paul – I Timothy
An Intimate Review
Pt 7
By Lawrence DeMetrius

In [I Tim 5:21] Apostle Paul charges Pastor Timothy in regard to the counsel he gave him in regard to protocol within Christian assemblies and domestic homes writing,

I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by PARTIALITY.
[I Tim 5:21]

*partiality Gk #4346 prosklisis (pros-klis-is) it is favoritism, a leaning toward, natural and habitual inclination and tendency

This statement and definition expose PARTIALITY that often time takes place in human society worldwide. Even Apostle Paul himself seems to show PARTIALITY toward women in general, especially young single women. However, discrimination can come in many forms including ethnicity, nationality, aristocratic status and collegian status. Christians must beware of THE LORD’S strong disdain of it, especially amongst themselves. Apostle Paul counsels Timothy on personal conduct as a pastor and his engagement with members of his appointed flock. He gives the following principles. [I Tim 5:22-25]

1. LAY HANDS suddenly on no person. [I Tim 5:22a]

*lay (hands) Gk #2007 epitithemi (ep-ee-tith-ay-mee) it means to in a friendly or hostile sense impose, which is to…
• lay on or set as something to be borne, endured, obeyed, fulfilled or paid
• put or set by or as if by authority
• obtrude or thrust oneself upon others
• impose one's authority or influence upon another
• to obtrude oneself or one's requirements upon others
*hand Gk #5495 cheir (khire) it is literally the hand, figuratively one’s power or authority and per Hebrew culture a means or instrument used to accomplish a thing

This gives credence to the idea that ministers of Christ are not to IMPOSE themselves in any way upon anyone. They are simply to humbly avail themselves to those who reverently inquire of them. [II Tim 2:24-26] HANDS or CHEIR refer to one’s authority and ability to impart unto others. This power is not to be usurped or abused by Christian teachers.

2. Do not PARTAKE of people’s sins. [I Tim 5:22b]

*partaker Gk #2841 koinoneo (koy-no-neh-o) it means to share with others, communicate, distribute and be partaker of

3. Keep yourself PURE. [I Tim 5:22c]

*pure Gk #53 hagnos (hag-nos) it means clean, innocent, modest and perfect…spiritually mature, whole and complete

4. Know that some people’s sins are OPEN BEFOREHAND and going to JUDGEMENT, while the sins of others FOLLOW AFTER. [I Tim 5:24]

*open beforehand Gk #4271 prodelos (prod-ay-los) it means obvious and plain before all men

*judgement Gk #2920 krisis (kree-sis) it is decision, justice, a tribunal and divine law

*follow after Gk #1872 epakoloutheo (ep-ak-ol-oo-theh-o) it means to accompany

5. Know that a person’s good works are manifested beforehand and those who are otherwise cannot be hid. In other words, no good work will go unrecognized. [I Tim 5:24, 25; Mt 5:14-16; 19; St Jn 3:20, 21]

In [I Tim 6:1a] Apostle Paul speaks on the quality and tone of relations between employers and employees, especially Christians. He writes,

Let as many SERVANTS as are UNDER the YOKE count their OWN MASTERS worthy of all HONOUR…
[I Tim 6:1a]

*servant Gk #1401 doulos (doo-los) it is a slave

*under Gk #5259 hupo (hoop-o) it means under or beneath as in placement

*yoke Gk #2218 zugos (dzoo-gos) it is a couple, servitude by law or obligation or a beam of a balance that connects its balancing scales

*count Gk #2233 hegeomai (hay-eh-om-ahee) it means to lead, think, deem, consider, esteem or command with official authority

*master Gk #1203 despotes (des-pot-ace) it is an absolute ruler or despot, which is…
• a king or other ruler with absolute and ultimate power
• any tyrant, oppressor or autocrat, which is a…
o monarch who holds and exercises the powers of government
o person invested with and claiming to exercise absolute authority
o domineering person or one behaving in an authoritarian manner

*worthy Gk #514 axios (ax-ee-oce) it means deserving, comparable and suitable

*honour Gk #5092 time (tee-may) it is a value or valuables, money paid, esteem of the highest degree and dignity of the highest degree

Given the cultural milieu of Apostle Paul’s day, there were certain protocols of respect that were practiced by people in certain positions. Adherence to these protocols were especially helpful to Christians and Christian ministry at this time, which was changing the lives of people of various nationalities, belief systems, cultures, classes and political affiliations. Thus, the manner in which Christians expressed proper respects was crucial, regardless the disposition they held as masters or employees.
In First Century Rome, proper protocol was imperative for progress of any worthwhile pursuit. However, it was particularly so in the area of politics and religion, which was deeply woven within the fiber of societal norms. In [I Tim 6:1b] proper protocol was especially admonished amongst Christians. It helped to keep THE LORD’S NAME and DOCTRINE from being BLASPHEMED.

*name Gk #3686 onoma (on-om-ah) it is a name, authority and character

*doctrine Gk #1319 didaskalia (did-as-kal-ee-ah) it is the function and information of instruction

*blasphemed Gk #987 blasphemeo (blas-fay-meh-o) it means to vilify, speak impiously of, defame, rail on, revile and speak evil of

Apostle Paul writes,

And they that have BELIEVING masters, let them not DESPISE them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are FAITHFUL and BELOVED, partakers of the BENEFIT. These things teach and exhort.
[I Tim 6:2]

*believing Gk #4103 pistos (pis-tos) it means trustworthy, full of trust, true, sure, faithful and filled with faith

*despise Gk #2706 kataphroneo (kat-af-ron-neh-o) it means to disesteem and think against

*service Gk #1398 douleuo (dool-yoo-o) it means to be a slave to

*beloved Gk #27 apapetos (ap-ap-ay-tos) it means beloved, dearly and well beloved

*partaker Gk #482 antilambanomai (an-tee-lam-ban-om-ahee) it means to take hold of in turn, help, relieve and participate

*benefit Gk #2108 euergesia (yoo-erg-es-ee-ah) it is beneficence, a benefit or good deed done
In regard to Christians expressing proper protocol within their assemblies, domestic home and work place, they are to entreat one another in divine love and respect.

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