Paul tells Timothy not just to fight the battle. He tells him to fight the battle well. There is a right and wrong reason to fight and there is a right and wrong way to fight. Timothy must lead, teach, and correct as a transformed person. As Paul said earlier in 1:5, followers of Jesus, and especially leaders and teachers, ought to have a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith that overflows into love for all people, even those who have suffered a shipwreck of the faith.
Fight the Battle Well
February 4, 2024 • Andrew Cullen • 1 Timothy 1:18–20
More from
1 Timothy
Grace Be With You
May 26, 2024 • Andrew Cullen • 1 Timothy 6:17–21
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.