A note from our Pastor:

“As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,”

1 Timothy 1:3

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

In our study verse this week we find the reason why Timothy was remaining in Ephesus and the Apostle Paul was writing him this letter. The thoughts of the verse will continue into verse four, which we will consider next week as our study verse.

The last verses of the book of acts tell us about the Apostle’s first imprisonment in Rome. He was allowed to remain under house arrest and with that he was able to teach and preach. According to Acts 28 he remained imprisoned in Rome for approximately two years. The events referenced in this verse took place after he was released from imprisonment and therefore after the book of Acts concludes.

Judging from the text of this study verse, the Apostle Paul and Timothy traveled back to Ephesus after his release from prison. However, when they arrived in Ephesus the Apostle was disturbed by the state of the church. Other men had taken over as pastors and teachers in his absence and with time had begun to preach false doctrines and implement false practices.

After spending some time in Ephesus, the Apostle is going to travel on to Macedonia (which is modern day Greece) but he is going to leave Timothy in Ephesus. Timothy receives a special charge from the Apostle. His charge is not to take over as the pastor or bishop at Ephesus, but rather to bring a renewed charge to the pastors and teachers who reside there. Timothy is not going to stay in Ephesus long-term, but for the time he is there he is going to strengthen the church and the leaders of the church.

The instruction from the Apostle to Timothy is to charge “some” who he does not name. Both knew who the teachers which were bringing in the false doctrine. Specifically he tells Timothy to charge them to teach no other doctrine. From this it is clear the problem at Ephesus was not a lack of knowledge. They knew the truth of Jesus Christ and the truth the Apostle had taught them, but they were adding to the doctrine and supplementing it with their own faulty ideas.

The church in Timothy’s day and continuing today must be ever cautious of adding to the doctrine of Christ.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah