In a city like Ephesus, the third largest city in the Roman Empire, and the primary port of the rich province of Asia, there was much wealth. The magnificent Temple of Artemis/Diana, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was a symbol of the city’s prosperity. The reason that Paul talked about being content and not letting the desire to be rich become the end in life is because this was especially relevant in Ephesus. But Timothy had an even more valuable deposit entrusted to him. Timothy was entrusted with the gospel. The gospel that Timothy was entrusted with is all about grace and all by grace.
Until His Appearing
May 19, 2024 • Andrew Cullen • 1 Timothy 6:11–16
When Paul talks about the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, he is pointing to the glorious moment when Jesus returns to take us to be with Him. This moment is what Timothy, as well as we, move forward toward. This is what we pursue. This appearing is what we fight for. This hope is what we take hold of. This promise is what have confidence in. Our confidence is not in our ability to flee from what is evil and pursue what is good. Nor is our confidence in our ability to fight the good fight. Our confidence is in the good confession: that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the King, the Son of the Living God who is seated at the right hand of God the Father. We rest in this confession until His appearing.
Slaves and Masters
May 5, 2024 • Andrew Cullen • 1 Timothy 6:1–2
Slavery was a divisive relationship and a polarizing issue. Paul is speaking to slaves who associate the yoke of slavery with pain. Most Christians were in the lower class, which means that many early followers of Jesus were slaves themselves. The chief concern for Paul was the glory of God and the salvation of people, not freedom of the slaves or an increase in privilege for the owners. This doesn’t mean that Paul doesn’t want slaves to be free. He encourages slaves to be free if given the opportunity. This doesn’t mean that Paul is endorsing slavery. Paul “aimed to destroy slavery without waging a war to do so!” The relationship between slaves and masters should be symbiotic because all followers of Jesus are witnesses to the world of the saving, transforming power of the gospel of Jesus.
