Timothy’s Responsibility
Introduction
Returning from his brief personal digression (vv.12-17), Paul resumes his charge to Timothy that began in verse 3.
1 Timothy 1:18-20 NLT
Timothy’s Responsibility
18 Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles. 19 Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. 20 Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples. I threw them out and handed them over to Satan so they might learn not to blaspheme God.
Examine the Scriptures:
1 Timothy 1:18-20 NLT
Timothy’s Responsibility
Paul restates his charge.
18 Timothy, my son,
Again, “my son” is used here as a term of spiritual affection.
here are my instructions for you,
Paul continues to instruct Timothy.
based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier.
- Prior to this time, affirmations or prophetic words confirmed Timothy’s calling.
When and by whom these prophecies were made can only be guessed.
We do know that prophetic words were spoken over Timothy.
1 Timothy 4:14 NLT
14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.
2 Timothy 1:6 NLT
6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.
- Clearly, Timothy was called to ministry.
May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles. (the prophetic words spoken about you earlier)
Timothy needs to deal with false teachers.
We are all in a spiritual warfare:
Ephesians 6:10-13 NLT
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NLT
3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
1 Timothy 6:12 NLT (Paul’s words to Timothy)
12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.
James 4:7 NLT
7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
- We are in a spiritual warfare.
- Faithfulness requires effort, vigilance, and courage.
(repeat) fight well in the Lord’s battles.
Later Paul says to Timothy:
1 Timothy 6:12 NLT
12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.
- Fight well in the Lord’s battles.
Now do your job Timothy:
- Do what you know you should be doing.
A reminder to us.
James 4:17 NLT
17 Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
Luke 12:47 NLT<BR<>47 “And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished.
John 13:17 NLT
17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.
James 1:22 NLT
22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
Knowing what is right is not enough.
God expects action, not just understanding.
Failure to act on known truth is spiritually serious.
- Ministry and faithful living require intentional effort and perseverance.
(repeat) Fight well
Be an effective warrior:
19 Cling to your faith in Christ,
- Cling to your faith in Christ.
Cling to sound doctrine.
and keep your conscience clear.
- Keep your conscience clear.
*There a difference between being guided by the Holy Spirit and being guided by our conscience.
- Our conscience is an inner sense of right and wrong. It’s part of how God made us.
- Our conscience is human, and it can be wrong.
- The Holy Spirit is God Himself actively leading believers.
Believers are guided by the Holy Spirit and guided by their conscience.
Here Paul is talking about conscience,
Key verses about conscience
Romans 2:14-15 NLT
14 Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. 15 They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.
Our conscience can accuse or excuse our actions.
Acts 24:16 NLT (Paul speaking)
16 Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.
But There’s a Big Caution
The Bible also teaches that our conscience is not perfect:
1 Timothy 4:2 NLT
2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.
Our conscience can become “seared” (numb or distorted).
Our conscience is human, and it can be wrong.
Hebrews 9:14 NLT
14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.
Our conscience needs to be trained by Scripture.
- Hold tightly to truth and integrity.
For some people have deliberately violated their consciences;
- Some people have deliberately violated their consciences
The false teachers are rejecting their consciences.
as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.
Violating our consciences can have serious consequences.
Not necessarily loss of salvation, but serious spiritual ruin.
20 Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples.
2 Timothy 2:17-18 NLT
17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. 18 They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.
I threw them out and handed them over to Satan
Specific action.
Timothy, follow my example and throw out (excommunicate) the false teachers.
Excommunication
Thrown out of the sanctuary of the church. Away from the fellowship and care of the church. The church can be a place of refuge or safety.
1 Corinthians 5:5 NLT
5 Then you must throw this man out and hand him over to Satan so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself will be saved on the day the Lord returns.
so they might learn not to blaspheme God.
Punishment for the sake of restoration.
Recognize the need to repent.
Change their behavior.
- Paul’s goal for Hymenaeus and Alexander was repentance, correction, and restoration.
