1 Timothy 1:18-20

THE PREACHER AND SOUND DOCTRINE 1 Timothy 1:18-20

Text 1:18-20

18 This charge I commit unto thee, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to thee, that by them thou mayest war the good warfare; 19 holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust from them made shipwreck concerning the faith: 20 of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered unto Satan that they might be taught not to blaspheme.

Thought Questions 1:18-20

35.

State in one sentence the charge that Paul gave to Timothy.

36.

What were the prophecies mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:18? Cf. 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6.

37.

Whatever these prophecies were, Timothy was going to use them to help him in the battle of the faith. Explain.

38.

Show the great importance of sustaining the proper relationship of faith with conscience.

39.

Show how the figure of a shipwreck is appropriate.

40.

Two men are to be taught a lesson; how and why?

Paraphrase 1:18-20

18 This charge to the Judaizers, not to teach differently, I commit to thee, son Timothy, to deliver to them; and I do it amiably to the revelations which were before made to me concerning thee, and which I now mention, that through the recollection of these revelations and the honour which was done thee by them, thou mayest strenuously carry on the good warfare against the enemies of truth in Ephesus.
19 In carrying on this warfare, hold fast the true faith, and at the same time a good conscience, using no improper methods in spreading the gospel; which faith and good conscience some teachers having put away from worldly motives, with respect to the faith have made shipwreck; they have corrupted the gospel, and destroyed their own souls.
20 Of whom are the two Judaizing teachers Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom, for their obstinately persisting willfully to corrupt the gospel, I have delivered to Satan to be by him tormented with bodily pains that they might be taught by a chastisement miraculously inflicted on them not to revile either Christ, or his doctrine concerning the salvation of the Gentiles, Let the faithful in Ephesus avoid these wicked teachers.

Comment 1:18-20

1 Timothy 1:18. Please notice the reference here to the charge mentioned earlier in 1 Timothy 1:3. What Paul has said between 1 Timothy 1:3 and 1 Timothy 1:18 would prepare Timothy to deliver the charge and accomplish the purpose for which it was given. Paul is here saying that his willingness to entrust Timothy with the high responsibility of such a charge can be found in the prophecies that led the way to Timothy. There are many and varied comments about the meaning of the phrase before us. We have preferred a comparison of 1 Timothy 4:14 with this text to offer an explanation. We might also compare 2 Timothy 1:6 in this connection, The gift of prophecy was exercised when the hands of the elders were laid upon Timothy. It could have been that Paul exercised such a gift when he laid his hands upon Timothy. In either case we would say that someone looking ahead by the power of this prophetic gift saw the wonderful possibilities in this young man.

Naturally the prophetic promises were mentioned to Timothy in such a way as to impress themselves upon his heart, By recalling them he could use such encouragement to help him in warring the good warfare. Perhaps Timothy was to remember such inspired words concerning himself and take heart that, if those who were guided by the Holy Spirit believed in his ability, who was he to hesitate?

1 Timothy 1:19. It is not to be imagined that Timothy did not have faith or a good conscience. It is rather to introduce the reason for the defection of some, that Paul exhorts Timothy to hold faith and a good conscience. What God hath joined together let not man put asunderWhen faith and conscience are separated there is always shipwreck ahead. Are we to understand that these men wrecked the ship of The Faith or wrecked their own personal ship of faith? We must conclude it is a subjective matter. To discuss whether these men were lost or not in this experience surely seems to be beside the point. Such men were in deadly danger; they were in the grasp, and under the power of Satan; to remain in such a condition would result in only one end.

1 Timothy 1:20. Several were involved in the problem outlined by Paul, but only two are mentioned by name. It would seem that only when nothing more could be done are certain ones designated. It is futile to try to identify the Alexander mentioned here with the several over Alexanders mentioned in the New Testament. The Hymenaeus here mentioned can be identified with the one in 2 Timothy 2:17-18; 2 Timothy 4:14. How could Satan become a teacher against blasphemy? This is not easy to answer. Perhaps the answer is in the character of those being disciplined.

Fact Questions 1:18-20

26.

Explain the use of the term charge as found in 1 Timothy 1:18.

27.

Show the possible connection between 1 Timothy 4:14 and 1 Timothy 1:18.

28.

Why are faith and conscience inseparable?

29.

What was wrecked in the shipwreck?

30.

Why name the two men of 1 Timothy 1:20?

31.

How would Satan be able to teach them not to blaspheme?