32. The Goal of Our Instruction

Covering all of 1 Timothy:

It is WRONG to consider Paul’s “final letters” as anything other than coming immediately out from Ephesians and Philippians, out from a House built for God and the Ekenosis, sharing all with Jesus. And I have been wrong for not thinking that way.

These three letters have been called “the pastoral letters,” because Paul is dealing primarily with ministry in the Church. Yet this Church, into which Paul places those who watch with care, is FILLED with all the fulness of God, the very completion of Christ Jesus. For this reason, we see these “pastoral letters” primarily as an expansion of Ephesians 1:10, our stewardship, & 4:11, the ministry of Christ tasked with the building up of the Church.

The Praise of His Glory. For that reason, we want to fit most every gospel word found in these three final letters, in one way or another, into the reality of Ephesians 4:16, the Energeia of Fellowship. Yet with this added thought, that there is a stewardship shared with Jesus, a great care placed inside our hearts, that the Church on this earth would be filled with God alone. Many times in my community experience, I observed elders in the various communities moving in this great care with wisdom and grace. I know what it looks like.

Then, in rightly dividing the word of truth, we do not take Paul’s suggestions for the first century assemblies and make it “letter of the word” death for our day. Rather in being led by the Spirit in the same stewardship, we bring present Word out from God into the Praise of His Glory.

From Pro-Thesis to Glory. To say, “from Pro-Thesis to Glory” is to say, “from Jesus to the Church.” The reason we say “Pro-Thesis” along with “Jesus” is that it shows us the vast meaning that is this Jesus as every Word God speaks and the driving determination of God out from which He comes. And the reason we say “Glory” along with “Church” is that the Church is what God wants, His deepest value and His greatest achievement.

Christian Community is more valuable to God than we can comprehend; it is His Glory, His revelation inside creation. There is no greater honor that could be given to us than that we should have some small part to play in the care over Jerusalem, in travail for her sake, in being a shield and protection for her against all her enemies.

From Covenant to Kingdom. (Chapter 1) 3 That you might warn certain ones not to teach other doctrines, 4 nor to give heed to myths and endless genealogies which bring meaningless controversies, rather than the stewardship of God, which is inside of faith. • 5 For the goal of our instruction is love out from a pure heart, out from a good consciousness, and out from a faith that is not fake, 6 from which some, having missed the point, have turned away to meaningless talk.

Consider the difference between “the goal of our instruction” versus “having missed the point.” That difference defines everything in these pastoral letters, including interpretation. “Love out from a pure heart” versus “meaningless talk.” “Our instruction” is the Covenant and “the goal” is the Kingdom, specifically, the Form for God through Jesus.

Speaking Christ. Here’s the thing. If I practiced and taught “speaking Christ” with no mention of the gathering of Church that we might learn to love one another, I would, in fact, be teaching “meaningless talk.” “Union with Christ” separate from Jesus, and separate from the costliness of loving one another daily, is little more than “union with self.”

We must know union with Christ before we can love one another, and thus all our speaking of Christ does indeed have its critical place. Yet you will see all through my writing from the start, “for the sake of others,” of receiving others just as Jesus receives me, so that my faith in God would not be proven fake. This is my labor, my intercession with God, the reason why I send out what I write, that we together might know Church as God means Church.

Union with Christ. I have chosen “The Goal of Our Instruction” as the title for all the Gospel Comments I will write for 1 Timothy because I want this specific thought to rule how we see every statement in this letter, the main point of what Paul continues to write.

Paul presents the Love that is the Goal of God and of the Covenant as coming out from three things, (1) out from a pure heart, (2) out from a good consciousness, and (3) out from a faith that is not fake. Ruling Verse 6 places a pure heart, a good consciousness, and full assurance of faith together in the same breath. Yet we can see in them the three parts of our union with Christ. A pure heart is one in union with Jesus. A good consciousness is the fellowship of soul we share with Him, and full assurance of faith is the full union of outward expression, that is, Love.

Our Stewardship. The goal is Love, believers in Jesus loving one another with pure hearts fervently, out from our shared union with Christ. Yet the words “our instruction” and “that you might warn,” mean our stewardship over God’s final opportunity.

Kingdom & Covenant: Our instruction is the Covenant, our goal is the Kingdom. The Kingdom is Love in the Church, inside of Christ Community together (see Psalm 133).

Ruling Verse 6 & 5: Love comes out from a pure heart, a good consciousness, and full assurance of faith. A pure heart is one in union with Jesus, a good consciousness is the fellowship of soul we share with Him, and full assurance of faith is the full union of outward expression in all our interaction with others.

Ruling Verse 8: Christian Love inside the gathering together is the goal of our stewardship.

Defining the Law. • 8 We are aware that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully. 9 We know that law is not enacted for the just, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the disrespectful and sinful.
 
How do we use the law lawfully? Clearly, using the law to “get right with God” is unlawful rebellion. More than that, our stewardship is for the just, not for the wicked of this world. I walk in Spirit, and I love out from God. Yet I know God’s law, hovering in the background, almost, confirming what love is, keeping me safe from calling wickedness “Christ as me.”

Definition: The law does not give life, neither does it connect anyone with God. Trying “to keep” the law is dishonesty, for it is turning one’s back against Jesus. Yet the law has an important role for us. By the law we distinguish what is not of union with Christ and what is not of love for one another. That knowledge, then, sends us into Jesus, our Savior.

No Sufficiency in Self. I was given mercy, because I was ignorant and did all that in unbelief. • 14 The grace of our Lord was abundantly multiplied to me then, with the faith and love that are inside of Christ Jesus. 15 This saying is trustworthy and worthy of all acceptance, that “Christ Jesus came into the world-cosmos to actively save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” 16 But through this I was given mercy, that in me, the worst, Jesus Christ might make fully evident His complete longsuffering as an example for those about to believe upon Him into age-unfolding life.

Ruling Verse 2: We have this Treasure of God-with-us in an earthen vessel. – No sufficiency in ourselves, but all sufficiency in God. Jesus’ ability is made complete inside all our human inability (see 2 Corinthians 4:7 & 12:9).

Binding with Prayer. (Chapter 2) 1 I encourage, therefore, first of all, that you make entreaties, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for the sake of all men and women, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, • so that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all Godliness and respect. 3 This is good and acceptable in the presence of our Savior, God, • 4 who wills all mankind to be saved, and to come into the acknowledgement of the truth [Jesus as personal to them].

Kings, and all those in authority in this world, come to steal, to kill, and to destroy. To pray “for them” – THAT we might live in peace, is to bind them with chains (the Bill of Rights).

Kingdom: Human authorities are at war against God, yet they do keep some order in their criminality. We do not pray for the world (see John 17:9), but rather, that we might live in peace.

What We Think about God. In verse 4 I am deliberately inconsistent in translation, just as the Calvinist translators are inconsistent. The word is thelema, which I always translate as God’s “desire,” and the Calvinists always as God’s “will.” Here they want to say “desire,” as in, He would “like to” even though He can’t. I have translated it as “WILL,” which is Paul’s meaning. The human contempt that would see most others “burn in hell forever” is actually the human hatred of God. We impose on other people what we actually think about God.

But let’s set this fact against “the goal,” which is Love out from a pure heart, that is, being just like God. As I walk through Walmart lately, I turn the faces of those I see into the faces of brethren in community, the joy and kindness of Jesus. Thus their faces become to me what I actually think about God.

Will and Desire. Definition: The Greek word “thelema” means desire, that is, what one wants, as it was used in all daily conversation. The Calvinists created “the will of God” as something implacable and final. Yet in verse 4, they translate “thelema” as desire, that is God “wants to do it,” but cannot. This is the only time I translate it as “the will of God.” Our judgment of others IS our judgment of God. The desire to see other people “burn in hell forever” is the hatred of God. The word “eternal” is not Biblical; the Greek word is “age,” that is, for a season of time.

Ruling Verse 9: Paul’s gospel asserts that Jesus will restore all creation back to the Father, that every created thing, in whatever condition right now, will give thanks inside of all and will speak the same word that is Christ Jesus. Paul’s gospel rules; everything else finds its meaning only there.

Defining God. • 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man, Christ Jesus, 6 the One who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony coming to each in their own right time.

It is so very important to allow what God says about Himself, His words, to be planted inside our hearts, untouched by forced definitions. When we say “God,” we mean “the Father.” Jesus is the Son out from God, the communication between God’s thoughts inside Himself and you and me.

Definition: We allow what God says about Himself, His words, to be planted inside our hearts, untouched by forced definitions. When we say “God,” we mean “the Father.” Jesus is the Son out from God, the communication between God’s thoughts inside Himself and you and me.

The Serpent’s Words. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. • 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman, having been deceived, went contrary.

And Adam was not deceived. – The most terrible thing ever uttered by anyone in history. Now, I am bringing this whole thought into Being a Witness of Christ, and we must place these lines entirely into the present Church. The serpent in the tree of knowing good and evil was not yet the devil; he did not become the devil until Adam’s controlling command. Eve had no reason to believe that the serpent’s words were deceitful, for he was truly anointed of God. More than that, every Nicene preacher speaks the same message of the serpent inside the anointing of the Spirit, and Christians to this day continue to think it’s God’s words.

Defining Man. Man is the master, and Adam was NOT deceived. He seized control over others knowing exactly what it meant. Yet we have the same authority, now coming to us inside of Jesus, not Adam. We have the power to seize for ourselves, not control over others, but sharing Hheart with God, to become the very giving that is God Himself.

Definition: God gave Adam a choice, to be like Jesus as the Tree of Life, a man of weakness giving Himself for others, or to reach for heavenly superiority inside his own story of self. The most terrible words ever spoken are “Adam was not deceived.” Adam knew everything; he knew God; he knew what was at sake; he knew the consequences. Adam ate the knowledge of right and wrong because he despised his foolish and contrary wife and chose control over her and all others.

Defining Stewardship. (Chapter 3) 15 I would have you know how it is necessary for one to conduct oneself inside the household of God, • which is the living Church of God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. • 16 And as we speak the same word, great is the mystery of Godliness: “The One who was made visible inside of flesh, was made justly innocent inside of Spirit; the One who was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the ethnic families, was believed on in the world-cosmos, and was received up inside of glory.”

The words “how to conduct oneself” reference our stewardship, our watch-care over God’s final season of opportunity, a glorious Church, His Highway into creation. Thus our stewardship is defined by WHAT the Church actually is – God made visible inside of flesh.

The Mystery of Godliness. It is vital for us to think in terms of the local fellowship, a single Christian Community. Such a gathering together IS the LIVING Church, and it IS the pillar and foundation of the Truth, which Truth is always Christ our Life.

Now, most interpret “the mystery of Godliness” as something that happened a long time ago, because they define glory as “heaven,” and not as the Church upon this earth, which is higher far than the highest of heavens. “Received up inside of GLORY” means that Jesus fills His Church – Ephesians 1:23. The Church which is His Body, the fulness of Christ who fills all inside of all. To share with Jesus in His glory means to be a part of a local Church, giving God to others, God manifest in the flesh.

God Manifest in the Flesh. God manifest in the flesh is the full expression of Ephesians 4:32-5:2, “Be ye therefore KIND!” God being Himself is first kindness, and then through kindness, all overflowing favor.

The Form for God through Jesus: Each local gathering of believers in Jesus IS a living Church out from God and is the pillar and foundation of the truth, that is, Christ, our only life. The Church is the Glory of God revealed. Jesus “received up into glory” is Jesus filling His church with Himself (see Ephesians 1:23 & 3:10).

Ruling Verse 1: We have been symmorphosed, sharing the same form, with the image of Jesus, the revelation of the Father; we are one flesh with Him. The mystery of Godliness is now that same God made visible through our life together. God made visible is kindness and then all abundant favor (see Ephesians 4:32-5:2).

Stewardship in Action. (Chapter 4) • 4 For everything created of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, but received with thanksgiving, 5 devoted through the word of God and prayer.

This line seems to contradict something I have often said, that nothing created can be good in itself. Yet actually, as we consider the whole picture, we see that I have been, in fact, saying what Paul says here. You see, this is Romans 8:28, that we synergeo with God making all things good. Saying that created things are not “good” in themselves does not mean that they are “evil,” rather, that all created things are neutral in themselves as vessels, that are then made good by our receiving them with thanksgiving and devoting them to God.

Thanksgiving. Even though John wrote against the Gnosticism arising in his day, Paul knew nothing of it. Yet Paul’s words are the antithesis of the Gnosticism that became Nicene Christianity, that earth and flesh are BAD and heaven and spirit are GOOD. That we are bad because we are in the lower realm of earth, and that when we “go to” the higher realm of heaven, we will automatically be good.

Definition: Every created thing in heaven and in earth is GOOD – because God speaks all through Christ and then sees all as good. Our flesh is GOOD for God made visible.

Ruling Verse 1: Many things in heaven and earth appear to be evil, and many of the circumstances of our lives. As we synergeo with God, we call everything as God sees; we devote all things to God through thanksgiving.

Into this Purpose. 7 But refuse improper and silly fables. Train yourself, rather, towards devotion to God. 8 For bodily exercise is only a little beneficial, • but devotion to God is beneficial towards everything, holding the promise of life in the present and in the future. 9 This saying is trustworthy, that is, worthy of full acceptance. 10 “Into this purpose we toil and strive, because we have hope upon the living God, who is Savior of all mankind, and very much so of believers.” 11 Entreat and teach these things.

The phrase “devotion to God” is my rendition of the Greek eusebeia, which is typically translated “godliness.” Yet in the religious mind, “godliness” means an outward performance developed by human effort. Strong also suggests the word “devotion,” so I chose that here, instead.

Devotion to God. Yet the words “holiness,” or “godliness,” or even devotion, void of any direct and immediate, active and ongoing, living and energeoing relationship with God can have no meaning. This is Paul who is writing, the same man who wrote Ephesians not long before. Thus we assume the meaning, not of “godliness” in self, but rather, devotion TO God. Devotion means “Look at me, God. I belong to You.” And it continues into “Let it be to me according to Your Word.” And so the first phrase for comment is “the promise of Life.”

Life: Life is immediate and ongoing connection with God, a living Flow from the Father to us and from us to the Father in return. Any outward anything not out from this Flow cannot be to us the promise of Life.

Our “Toil.” The second phrase for commenting is “Into this purpose we toil.” This purpose, then, as Paul’s gospel defines it here and elsewhere is the promise of Life and the Salvation of all. Our “toil,” then, is out from God into setting creation free. But again, we do not leave Ephesians 4:16, the critical sharing from every part, and our watch care over such a thing, our “toil” to ensure that this sharing is free, True, and personal from each and to each. We labor over Father at Home.

Ruling Verse 9: The purpose of all our toil and labor is the promise of Life and Salvation for all, that all creation might be made free inside the glorious liberty in which we live. Yet more than that, our toil is over the sharing from every part inside each local Church, that Father might be freely known (see Ephesians 4:16).

Taking Care of those Taking Care. (Chapter 5) • 17 Let the watch-carers, shepherds of the flock, who give good attention, be counted worthy of double honor, especially those laboring in the word and teaching. 18 As the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox treading out the grain,” and, “The workman is worthy of his wages.” 19 Do not receive an accusation against a watch-care shepherd, except it be upon two or three witnesses. 20 Those sinning, however, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also might have fear.

Kingdom: We take care of those who watch with care over us. God sets such responsibility into each local church, that the Flow of Gospel Word might bear its full fruit. We do not accuse any, but if there is sin, that is, wrongful hurting of others, it cannot be allowed to continue.

An Indissoluble Life. (Chapter 6) 5 Constant arguing among men corrupted in mind, and devoid of the truth, who consider devotion to God to be a means of gain. Withdraw away from such. • 6 Devotion to God is great gain, however, but with contentment. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and neither are we able to carry anything out. 8 Having food and clothing, then, with these we will be satisfied.

We go to the core meaning of what God is saying – the same as in Philippians 4; this is the Life we share with God.

Life: The Life of God is Life shared abundantly with others. As we live inside of God, utterly devoted to Him, we are content inside of all. Yet, at the same time, the Abundance of Grace flows through us to others. Those who seek to “gain,” lose all. We who give all, lose nothing, but gain all.

Separation, Life, and Ministry. • 11 You, however, O man of God, flee these things; pursue justice, devotion to God, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. • 12 Fight the good fight of faith. Seize hold of the age-unfolding life into which you were summoned and which you also spoke, that same word of the same good-speaking in the presence of many witnesses. – Verse 11 must be union with Christ and verse 12 is Ruling Verse 10, age-unfolding Life.

Ruling Verse 5: To “pursue” the things of devotion to God is to pursue the knowledge of a Jesus who has already come into union with us, for we have no other Source.

Ruling Verse 10: Age-unfolding Life is to know the Father. We seize hold of the knowledge of God through knowing Jesus Sent into us as every good Word God speaks.

Our Charge. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, the One giving life to all, and [in the presence of] Christ Jesus, the One having testified these same good words before Pilate, • 14 to keep watch over the full consummation [of God-speaking] without stain, above reproach, until our Lord, Jesus Christ, becomes consciously visible, • 15 God will display Christ-made-visible in each one’s own seasons, the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of those being kings, and the Lord of those being lords, 16 alone possessing no death, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no one of mankind has seen nor is able to see, to whom be honor and age-unfolding strength. Let it be so – it is so.

This is typical Paul, cramming so much stuff into a small set of verses, being sure to include just about everything.

To Keep Watch. The first bullet point is “to keep watch.” This is Ruling Verse 9, Refuge and Outlook, living inside of God, setting creation free. – To keep watch over all fulfilment and completion of Gospel Word until the Apocalypse, that is, until Jesus becomes consciously known as He is inside of each. The Apocalypse, then, is the goal of our instruction, the reason for everything, that all would KNOW Christ Jesus sent into them, that all might know the Father as He is.

Ruling Verse 9: We keep watch over the fulfilment and completion of all Gospel Word until the Apocalypse, that is, until Jesus becomes consciously known as He is inside of each. The Apocalypse, the removal of the cover that makes blind, is the goal of our instruction, the result of all our labor and toil.

Christ-Made-Visible. Then we have verses 15 and 16 which no one preaches on because no one has a clue what they mean. “Dwelling in unapproachable light” means there is no shadow, no outline, no way any created thing will ever be able to detect or see God. For God to be known, He must display Christ-made-visible – through the Church, Jesus as He is.

Definition: God cannot ever be detected by any created thing or capacity, whether of heaven or of earth. God is all here now. “Unapproachable light” means there is no shadow or outline by which any “boundary” of God could be detected. For us to know God, we must receive His Spirit, and for creation to know God, God must make Christ visible through His Church, that is, through believers in Jesus loving one another with pure hearts fervently, the goal of our instruction.

The Sharing from Every Part. It is so clear, now, that everything Paul says in these pastoral letters has its meaning only inside Ephesians 4:16, the sharing from every part – that God might fill His House, that God might be known by all. Yet this sharing from every part is eminently practical, and it is found only in daily life together, in Christ Community.

“Sharing” is koinonia, fellowship, communion. It is the Eucharist and the Ekenosis. It is the HOW of God-made-visible, of God manifest in the flesh. Over this sharing, that it be pure and True and real, we labor inside of God in all Travail of the Spirit. We toil over it with great watch care. We devote our lives utterly to the full expression of this koinonia – for Father’s sake.