1 TIMOTHY ~ Chapter 4/Wednesday Bible Study

This Post - and following Bible Study posts, will be posted Wednesday instead of the previous Thursdays; this works better for our household, freeing up the weekends to dovetail more easily with our interfaith marriage.

The last Bible Study Posting was 5 months ago: September 24th, 2024, while we were hunkered down along the PNW Coastline.

A lot was happening in my personal life, at that time; a lot is still happening in my personal life, at this time in Quartzsite-AZ

Over the past 177 Days, spiritual battles have been won - ground was reclaimed, knowledge was deepened, wisdom birthed, healing on every level took place; spiritual, emotional, and physical renewal is an ongoing process that is still unfolding … along this new journey's path, some I thought were friends dropped away and faded into the background, eventually dropping off the radar completely & closing the account (I hold no grudges against them - they did not have the stamina needed for the raging battle); a couple fair-weather friends were upfront with their unease about the unrest - they wanted a quick-fix to a complex situation; they pulled back, and away, when they realized the battles would take longer than they signed up for: stresses in their own lives led them AWOL … periodically showing up when a praise report was shared - then pulling disappearing acts when the heat was on, again: complexity is uncomfortable.

Then there are the priceless friends, who settled in for the long haul - those who understand that complex situations take dedication and determination; these friends are #Prayer Warriors, spiritual veterans of many skirmishes.

They know what war means: they know lives are at stake and come alongside, and stay throughout the duration - stepping over questions, going around judgements, and coming immediately alongside to shoulder and shift the burdens to rest equally among the troop members … carrying the tangled mess directly to the Throne Room on the breath of their steadfast prayers. 5 months did not deter them from The Mission 🙏 of "bearing one another's burdens" to a satisfactory end with "joyous praise" for a "job well done" and a shout of "victory in *HaShem Yeshua!"

And some openly challenged my S.O.S. Call to Arms, asking, "do you think it wise to be sharing your private business?" One of those, was my husband. But I replied, saying, "(1) I'm not sharing 'private business' - I'm giving bare necessity info, so the prayers will be effectively on point (2) all of Scripture is filled with personal stories of struggle and victory: without these recordings, the Books and the information in them, would be worthless. Our story, our struggles, and our victories, are just as important - and the outcome could help someone else. So, no I do not feel guilty for peeling back the onion, or sharing the little I share when asking for help during a spiritual struggle. Asking for help - and getting help is not a weakness: recognizing that we can't do it all alone … and the coming together in prayer to seek and gain Elohim's help, is the hallmark of Christianity. The "feel good-go it alone" mindset being passed off today as Christianity is not helpful, or beneficial.

Galatians specifically teaches that we, as Believers, are "to bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ."

If I was the only person on Earth, hardships of my personal life would have eventually been worked out with my prayers alone; but I am not the lone occupant of planet Earth, and it sure was nice to be cocooned in the embrace of united prayers, to hear voices over the airwaves saying, "I've been praying for you and Holland"; and to get texts and PM's encouraging us, as a couple (Holland's network is exclusive; my network is inclusive: he was experiencing Christianity in it's purity - no recrimination, no judgement, no expulsion - he is my Husband, and acknowledged as such. There was no divide and conquer going on, only unity in purpose and outcome). These beloved and priceless friends were Godsends, who not only blessed us, but also blessed themselves by their unwavering love and support ❤️

Joel Chernoff~Lamb Messianic - 'There's A Friend' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UsliSSQMn0)

My husband, who previously had issues with my Messianic Faith, recently joined me at an in-home gathering; he went with an open mind, and left convinced (praise the Lord) that it is not a cult atmosphere … and I, also, am meeting him in the middle - with an agreement to attend Calvary Chapel fellowships where we find them along our travels. I will never attend a vineyard meeting (his preference); but I do agree with Calvary Chapel's stance on Scripture.

All that said, let's begin today's study given by the ^Apostle Paul to ^^Timothy, keeping in mind, and rejoicing, that **Elohim is faithful to fulfil His promises and Yeshua strengthens us every nano second of every day 😁

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1 TIMOTHY ~ Chapter 4

Descriptions of False Teachers

(vv. 1 thru 5)

"Now the ***Ruach HaKo'desh expressly says that in the latter (nearer to the end of) times some will depart (leave or move away from an accepted or prescribed, course of action) from the faith (the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen - Romans 10:17; 2 Corinthians 5:7; & Hebrews 11:1. It is a trust in God and his promises - Psalm 33:22 & Isaiah 40:31), giving heed to deceiving spirits (a disembodied entity = supernatural being, that spread falsehoods and lead people away from the truth) and doctrines of demons (a fallen angel = supernatural agent of evil, harm, distress, or ruin), speaking lies (a purposeful act of making an untrue statement) in hypocrisy (saying one thing, but doing the opposite; also pretending to believe something they don't), having their own conscience seared with a  hot iron (someone's moral sense has become so numbed or insensitive to wrongdoing that it no longer feels any guilt or remorse for their actions), forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain (strongly, or piously avoid) from foods which Elohim created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature (referring here to animal meat food sources) of Elohim is good. and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified (free from sin; purified) by the Word and prayer.

Instruction for the True Teacher

(vv. 6 thru10)

If you instruct the ##brethren in these things, you will be a good minister (providing spiritual guidance to the community) of ****Yeshua Ha’Mashiach, nourished (fed with the Word of God, which brings growth in relationship with God, and leads to behavioral changes from the inside out in becoming more Christ-like; minds & bodies healthy and pure) in the words of faith and in the good doctrine (from the Latin, doctrina: meaning 'teaching, instruction'; taught principles or positions, a given branch of knowledge) which you have carefully followed. But reject profane (secular: not holy, impure, or defiled) and old wives' fables (a reference to superstitions and myths that are often passed down by older women of pagan religions; false and unreal traditions and speculations), and exercise (a process or activity carried out for a specific purpose, especially one concerned with a specified area or skill) yourself rather to godliness (the quality or practice of conforming to the laws and wishes of Elohim; devoutness and moral uprightness: reflecting the nature of the kingdom of Elohim in the course of everyday life). For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having  promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come (Psalm 37:9 & 1 Corinthians 8:8). This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, Who is the Savior of all mankind - especially of those who believe (Psalm 36:6).

Third Charge (directly instructs someone to take action): "Do Not Neglect The Gift"

(vv. 11 thru 16)

These things command and teach: Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the Believers in word, in conduct, in love, *in Spirit (walking in the anointing and powerful gifts of the Ruach HaKo'desh), in faith, and in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation (to strongly encourage or urge someone to do something; to give comfort or to utilize a corrective measure that aims to lead to change, repentance, or improvement), to teaching doctrine. Do not neglect (leave undone or leave out; fail to do something; fail to attend to; give little or no attention to) the gift that is in you, which was given to you in prophecy (a divine revelation that is inspired by the Holy Spirit) with the laying on of hands (in this case, the meaning is to publicly acknowledge a spiritual blessing or authority that someone has already received) of the ###presbytery. Meditate (think deeply or carefully about; consider) on these things; give (bend or make changes) yourself entirely (to the full or entire extent: completely) to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed (pay close attention, be cautious, or be aware of something important; be on guard against temptation and sin) to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself, and those who hear you."

^Apostle Paul = known as Saul before he converted to Christianity (Acts 9), was the chief killer of Christians following Yeshua’s death, resurrection, and ascension – being the foremost witness to the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7).

The Apostle Paul was one of the most influential leaders of the early Christian Church. He played a crucial role in spreading the gospel to the Gentiles (non-Jews) during the first century, and his missionary journeys took him all throughout the Roman empire.

^^Timothy = son of the devout Jewish woman, Eunice, and a Greek father, Timothy became a follower of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach when Apostle Paul preached the Gospel in Lystra, Timothy’s hometown. Paul invited the young convert to accompany him on his second missionary journey; and was sent to Thessalonica to strengthen the fellowship there. After another journey with Paul, Timothy was sent to Corinth to straighten out some problems upsetting the fellowship there.

Timothy later looked after Paul during Paul’s imprisonment. Timothy subsequently was asked to go to Ephesus to represent Paul, and received the two letters from Paul that bear Timothy’s Name. Timothy – these letters reveal, was like a son to Paul.

The last word in the New Covenant about this sensitive, sickly, but faithful young helper was that he was imprisoned but finally released. Acts 16:1, 17:14-15, 18:5, 19:22 & 20:4; Romans 16:21; 1 Corinthians 4;17 & 16:10; 2 Corinthians1:1 & 19; Colossians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 3:2, & 6; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 & 2 Timothy; Philemon 1; and Hebrews 13:23.

#While the phrase "prayer warrior" isn't explicitly stated in the Scriptures, the term is understood to refer to a Christian who actively engages in fervent and persistent prayer, often interceding for others - essentially "fighting" spiritual battles through prayer, following the example of Ephesians 6:10-18 which describes "putting on the full armor of God to combat spiritual forces".

##Brethren = Members of the Christian Faith; both the Collins and the Longman dictionaries, explain that in British English, the word brethren could include genetic male and female in its meaning.

###Presbytery = an administrative body of Church elders and ministers, representing the local congregation of a district.

*HaShem Yeshua = The name of God used most often in the Hebrew Bible is the transliteration script יהוה; Jews traditionally do not pronounce it; and instead refer to God as HaShem, literally "the Name". Referring to God as HaShem reflects a profound respect for His holiness and majesty.

Yeshua (יֵשׁוּעַ in Aramaic/Hebrew; of the Second Temple period) is a verbal derivative from "to rescue", "to deliver".

**Elohim (Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים, romanized: ʾּlōhīm: [(eloˈ(h)im]) is a Hebrew word meaning "Gods – Father, Son, & Holy Spirit". Although the word is plural in form, in the Hebrew Bible it usually refers to a single deity “Behold, the Lord – the Lord is One”, particularly the God of Israel.

***Ruach HaKo'desh (The Hebrew language phrase ruach ha-kodesh is pronounced ROO-akh-KOH-desh: רוח הקודש, "holy spirit" also transliterated ruaḥ ha-qodesh) is used in the Hebrew Bible and Jewish writings to refer to the spirit of YHWH (רוח יהוה); the Holy Spirit occurs 90 times in the Brit Chadashah. Luke 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, & 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:8; Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 6:9; & Jude 1:20.

The New Testament is called the B'rit Chadashah in Hebrew, meaning "New Covenant" (the word B'rit means "covenant" and Chadashah means "new").

****Yeshua Ha’Mashiach = is Hebrew for “Jesus the Messiah”; the name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua.

Christ (from the Hebrew word, Ha’Mashiach ישוע המשיח & the Greek word, Christos/khris-tos) = The Anointed, Yeshua the Messiah, in both languages.

**1 TIMOTHY ~ Chapter 3/Thursday Bible Study: https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2024/09/1-timothy-chapter-3thursday-bible-study.html