The Good Newscaster

“For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth” (1Tim 2:7).

TV networks and local stations place a high priority on their news anchors. They put all sorts of research into selecting the person they hope their viewers will trust to deliver the nightly news. Many become household names. Walter Cronkite. Huntley and Brinkley. Tom Brokaw. Ron Burgundy. (Just seeing if you’re paying attention.) There’s a lot on the line when looking for the next great newscaster.

That’s nothing compared to what God does in selecting His spokespersons. One the His most controversial and effective choices is a former Pharisee named Paul. Controversial because the dude from Tarsus was actually trying to wipe the followers of Jesus off the planet at the time of his selection. Effective because Christ used him to take the Gospel to non-Jews for the very first time and write most of what we know as the New Testament. Paul tells his protege Timothy, “For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth” (v7). 

Paul is God’s choice as the Good Newscaster. 

Just a quick review of why there even is a book of the Bible we call 1st Timothy. A few years back, Jesus used Paul to plant His church in the Asian port city of Ephesus. It’s on the west coast of what we know today as Turkey. The city is a critical crossroads of trade and culture in the first century. A strategic location for countless people to come in contact with the life changing message of Jesus. 

However, there’s a problem in the Ephesian church. God has sent Paul on his next assignment to Macedonia. He’s left his spiritual son Timothy to pastor the Ephesian megachurch. But a team of spiritual hucksters have weaseled their way into the congregation and have distracted believers from the core of their faith (1Tim 1:3-7). Instead of simply trusting in who Jesus is and what He has done, they’ve duped folks into buying a false gospel which is really no Gospel at all. If that’s not bad enough, they’re telling everyone that Paul is a fraud when passing himself off as an apostle of the Lord.

It’s tempting to blow right past the first two words here in verse 7: “for this.” But one look in the rearview mirror let’s us know “this” is kind of big deal. “This” is the Gospel. Paul’s been talking all about how Jesus has come to our rescue as the “one Mediator between God and men” (1Tim 2:5). Christ ponied up with the biggest ransom payment the universe has ever seen, His own sinless life, in order to free us from our sin (1Tim 2:6). Yeah, like I said, “this” is REALLY a big deal.

The man formerly known as Saul writes that it’s because of the Good News that “I was appointed” to three distinct roles. “Preacher…apostle…teacher” (v7). He wants us to know this wasn’t some sort of religious power grab. God has personally handpicked and placed him in this important place of influence in the early church. “Appointed” is the Greek verb tithemi, which has a wide range of meanings but basically describes putting something somewhere. That being the case, I wish I could remember where I have tithemi-ed my car keys most days. But I digress.

In this context, the word means assigning someone to a particular task, function, or role.  And in this case, Gods job description for Paul specifically begins with as “preacher” (v7). Once again, a peek into the original language is a big help. “Preacher” (Gr. kerux) is one who is handpicked to proclaim and make public announcements. A person given authority who delivers an official message. Notice a theme here? Someone didn’t simply pull Paul’s name out of hat and ask him to speak. He’s not just a random man-on-the-street. 

A few hundred years ago, the term was used for the official town crier or herald. The best understanding in the 21st Century is probably a PA announcer or news anchor. Paul is Jesus’ personal choice as His anchor for the Good Newscast. And as we’ll see in a little later, God has handed him the microphone to deliver the Message to a specific audience. 

The next specific duties is a biggie. “Apostle (Gr. apostolos)” (v7). You might think an apostle was something the writers of the Bible cooked up. Actually in the Greco-Roman world, this described an official representative with all the power and authority of the one who sent them. An apostle has a lot more oomph that just power of attorney. When you meet someone’s apostle, it’s as if the person who sent them is sitting right there with you. In this case, that Person is Jesus. In other words, when Paul is anchoring the Good Newscast, it’s as if Christ Himself is delivering the news. That’s some serious oomph.

There probably wasn’t anyone who saw Jesus’ selection of Paul coming. After all, he was a one-man wrecking crew against Christ’s church. Back in the day, he was known as Saul and was headed on another search-and-destroy mission to Damascus. That’s when the resurrected Jesus literally blindsided him (Acts 9:1-6). The Lord has a new assignment for him. He’s the newest member of the Apostle, taking the spot previously held by the infamous Judas Iscariot.

There’s seems to be a bit of confusion between the meaning of disciple and apostle. We tend to throw those two terms around interchangeably for Jesus’ posse. There’s a distinct difference. A disciple is one who follows and learns from a mentor. An apostle is equipped, empowered, and sent out on assignment. In other words, the disciples first followed Christ and learned. Once He headed home to heaven, He sent them out on assignment.

What’s this have to do with you and me? While the official capital “A” Apostles only describe Christ's original crew, it still works much the same way. As disciples, we’re first followers of Jesus. The next step in following Him is to do what He commands us and go where He tells us. That’s when He sends us in His name. Just after walking out of the grave and just before lifting off for heaven, Christ instructed His followers to go and be disciple-making disciples (Mt 28:18). We’re followers who are sent. Like Paul and the rest of the apostles, we’re broadcasters of the Good News.

Meanwhile back in the letter, Paul reassures Tim, “I am telling the truth, I am not lying” (v7). Why in the world would the man from Tarsus feel the need to reassure his spiritual son that he’s legit? Apparently the false teachers who’ve infiltrated the Ephesian church have accused Paul of making up his story about being picked and sent by Jesus as an apostle. When you doubt the messenger, you doubt the message. Just ask Brian Williams. (Insert joke here about Williams being with Paul outside of Damascus here.) It’s important for Paul to defend the integrity of his calling. 

We need to remember the importance of telling the truth about the One who is Truth (Jn 14:6). Once we start fudging the facts about the other stuff in our lives, we give people reason to doubt anything we tell them about Jesus. Remember, when people doubt the messenger, they doubt the message. Don’t lie. God doesn’t (Num 23:19; Heb 6:18). It’s such a big deal to God that He included it in His Top Ten (Ex 20:16). When we don’t tell the truth, there are consequences. Integrity is key when your the Good Newscaster.

Finally, Paul writes about his role as “a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth” (v7). As a teacher, he doesn’t just spread the Good News but explains what it means. We all have memories of those special teachers we had in school. They taught us so much more than our multiplication tables and how to diagram sentences. Great teachers teach us about life. Few people doubt the apostle’s impact on countless Christ followers in the first century. As a matter of fact, his teaching continues to echo around the planet to this day.

While Paul didn’t have a problem broadcasting the Good News to anyone who would listen, there was a very specific demographic he had in mind. “The Gentiles” (v7). In other words, non-Jews. Actually the word most often translated as “Gentiles” is the Greek noun ethnos. It’s where we get our English word “ethnic.” 

Christ specifically selected the apostle to every non-Jewish ethnic group in the world. Just after the divine mugging outside of Damascus, the risen Jesus told one of His followers named Ananias how Saul/Paul “is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). The apostle constantly reminds folks of his assignment to the non-Jewish world (Rom 1:5; 11:13; 15:16; Gal 1:16; 2:2, 7-9; Eph 3:7-8).

I’m particularly glad about this part of Paul’s ministry. I’m not Jewish. I can’t trace my family tree back to God’s chosen people. Without Jesus sacrifice and Paul’s broadcast of the Good News to non-Jews, I’d be left out in the cold. It’s hard for us to understand just how controversial this invitation of every other ethnic group into God’s kingdom really was. 

This debate rages throughout the pages of Acts and a lot of the New Testament. It was crazy enough to think Jesus was the long-awaited Jewish Messiah. Now you’re telling me He’s inviting Gentiles to the party!?!? This was such a big deal that church leaders held a big meeting back at the home office just to come to a decision (Acts 15:1-35). They concluded if God’s saving non-Jews, who are they to stop Him. Good call.

So what do you and I do with this? What does Paul’s assignment as preacher, apostle, and teacher to non-Jews have to do with us? First of all, if you’re not Jewish be VERY thankful! Otherwise, you might still be on the outside looking in. Second, if God has placed you in a position of influence and authority, step into it. Don’t ignore it. Don’t walk away from it. There are people out there He’s using you to serve and lead. Start serving. Start leading. Third, we’re all to be good followers of those placed in authority over us. Willingly submit to godly leaders. Quit your whining. Stop your complaining. Follow. 

Finally, we all are broadcasters of Jesus’ Gospel. He has given everyone of us the mic to tell the world of who He is and what He’s done. Place your trust in Him. He lived the perfect life we failed to live. He died the death for our sin we should have died. He rose to new life we don’t deserve. We’re all God’s handpicked choice as His Good Newscasters. And that’s the way it is.

Paying the Ransom

“who gave Himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time” (1Tim 2:6)

A loved one is missing. There are clear signs of foul play. The phone eventually rings. The kidnappers have demands. They want money. Lots of it. Don’t say a word to anybody. The clock is ticking. Life hangs in the balance. You’ve seen it played out many times. Paying the ransom is a consistent theme of movies like “Fargo,” “Die Hard,” “Taken,” and of course “Ransom.” 

Did you realize that you were the victim of a kidnapping? Yeah, I’m talking to YOU! Every single one of us. Abducted. Captured. And the price demanded was through the roof. There was no hope. None. Zero. You may be scratching your head wondering when this happened? What sort of crazy talk is this? Well, Paul wants you and I to know this is EXACTLY what went down before Jesus came to our rescue. 

But Christ didn’t spring us by making the drop of a briefcase full of cash. No, He paid with something far more valuable bag full of Benjamins. Our Savior is the one “who gave Himself as a ransom for all which is the testimony given at the proper time” (v6). Jesus exchanged Himself for us. He substituted Himself to gain our freedom. Once it all went down, the word got out. And it got out to the entire world. 

In many ways this is the Big Idea of Paul’s letter to his buddy Timothy. The apostle has left Tim to pastor the megachurch in Ephesus. It’s the same fellowship he founded a few years back during his third tour of the Mediterranean Rim (Acts 19). Fast forward a few years later. There’s trouble in E City. Big trouble. A team of spiritual hucksters is stirring up believers and selling a counterfeit gospel that’s really no gospel at all (1Tim 1:3-7). These snake oil salesmen are telling people that Jesus may have gotten them into God’s kingdom but it’s up to them to work their tails off to stay in. According to these knuckleheads, Christ paid our initial entry fee but we’ve got to make the payments going forward. 

Paul reminds Tim that Jesus paid the entire bill. He “gave Himself as a ransom for all” (v6). It’s easy just to fly right past the fact that Christ “gave” (v6). God continually gives. He’s the ultimate Giver. It’s His nature. It’s at the core of who He is. The most famous verse in the Bible is all about God’s promiscuous generosity. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16).

God loves. God gives. We see His grace flowing wild and free over and over and over. It all started with His gift of creation (Gen 1:1-25)) and hasn’t stopped since. He gives us Himself in the form of the Holy Spirit (1Th 4:8). He gives us life (Gen 1:26-27; 2:7, 21-23) and breath (Is 42:5). He gives us wisdom (Ps 119:169; Ecc 2:26; Eph 1:17; James 1:5). The list goes on an on. Music (Job 35:10). Enjoyment (1Tim 6:17). Strength (1Sam 2:10; Ps 29:11; 68:35). Peace (Num 6:26; 2Th 3:16). Rain (Jer 5:24; Zech 10:1). 

The list goes on and on and on. Paul eventually tells the folks in Rome that if God didn’t hold back His Son to save us, “how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?” (Rom 8:32). Starting to get the idea? If you have something good, it has your Heavenly Dad’s fingerprints all over it (James 1:17). God gives because He loves. He doesn’t just have a warm fuzzy feeling for you and me. He does something about it. He gives. Oh, does He ever!

Since God is remaking the followers of Jesus into the image of Jesus (Rom 8:29; 2Cor 3:18), He’s transforming each of us into supernatural givers too. God wants us to know the joy of generosity. That’s the reason behind all of the commands in Scripture about giving (Prov 11:24; Lk 6:37-38; 2Cor 9:7). Generosity is the secret sauce of God’s blessing (Dt 8:18; Prov 19:17). Jesus went so far as to say that when we give those who are disenfranchised and cut off from society, we’re actually doing something for Him (Mt 25:4). 

Who do you think came up with the idea that’s it’s better to give than receive? It certainly wasn’t Goldman Sachs. You see, when God loves, He gives. You can’t stop Him. You can’t even hope to contain Him. He’s the ultimate Giver. And since He’s remaking us in His image, we should do the same. When we love, we should give. 

And in this case, Jesus comes to our rescue and “gave Himself as a ransom for all” (v6). Instead of handing over truckload of cash to gain our release, Christ exchanges Himself for us. He personally pays the price. In “ransom,” Paul uses a Greek term (Gr. antilutron) we don’t see anywhere else in ancient literature. describing the price paid to release someone from captivity, a means to effect freedom, or what is given in exchange for another. He emphasizes both substitution and exchange. It comes from a root word that means to unchain or untie someone. In effect, the nailing of Christ to the cross broke our chains.

Just who were our kidnappers? And to whom did Jesus pay our ransom? Like most of these suspense flicks, there’s a twist. A VERY big twist. Who was my kidnapper? Who’s the bad guy? It’s the dude who looks back at me every morning when I shave. I am my own kidnapper. It’s my rebellion that holds me hostage. In a very real way, I’m locked in a cell of my own sin from the INSIDE! I have this twisted notion that I don’t need a Savior. I can do this all on my own. To admit I need to be rescued is to admit I can’t do it. But Jesus reminds me of the ugly truth of my situation. “Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin” (Jn 8:34). And the only One who can break the chains of slavery is only One who can pay the price for my release.

Now take a guess at who receives the ransom. It’s gotta be Satan, right? Right? Ready for the big reveal? Who’s the mastermind behind demanding payment? It’s God. Yeah, that’s right. Our holy God. You see, He’s perfect and demands perfection. In case you haven’t been paying attention, you’re not. I’m not. Nobody is. We all fall short of His holy and perfect standard. And by “fall short,” I don’t mean we miss it by a couple of inches. We might as well try take a flying leap to the dark side of the moon. You can probably measure our miss in light years.

If the bad news isn’t bad enough already, the penalty for failing to grade out a perfect score is death (Rom 6:23). Somebody has to pay the price. That’s where our sinless Savior comes to our rescue. He does for us what we can’t and won’t. He lives to God’s perfect standard when don’t. He pays the ransom with His own life on the cross when it should have been us. He rises to a spectacular new life we don’t deserve.  

This all happens through something Martin Luther called “The Great Exchange.” Jesus willing trades His dazzling perfection and obedience for wretched filth and rebellion. Or in the words of Paul, For our sake He (God) made Him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him (Jesus) we might become the righteousness of God” (2Cor 5:21). That happens when we place our trust in what Christ has done on our behalf. As John Piper says, “What God requires, Christ provides.” 

So here’s the crazy thing. We hold ourselves captive by our own sin. God demands payment. But it’s God who pays the ransom. Literally, a King’s ransom. The King of king’s ransom. Paul describes God as being both the “just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Rom 3:26). Think about that for just a minute. We’re our own kidnappers. Yet the Son of God sacrifices Himself to free us. Getting to get the idea of why this is such Good News?

The apostle tells Tim that the ransom payment for our freedom  “is the testimony given at the proper time” (v6). In other words, God couldn’t reveal His spectacular plan to pay our sin debt until Jesus left heaven on His supernatural rescue mission. The plan to send a Hero have been in the works since our first parents thumbed their noses at God’s goodness back in the garden (Gen 3:15). It wasn’t until our resurrected Savior strolled past the stone and out of the cemetery that we knew exactly what the Good News really is. 

Check out the New Living Translation’s take on this phrase: “This is the message that God gave to the world at the proper time” (v6 NLT). Not a moment too soon. Not a moment too late. And there’s no way to keep news of this jaw-dropping ransom payment quiet. “Eventually the news is going to get out” (v6 The Message). That’s Paul’s assignment. To broadcast it all throughout the known world. It’s why he’s in Macedonia and not in Ephesus. 

If you’re wondering what you should do with this news, allow me to suggest a couple of items. First of all, live free. Remember what it cost Christ to spring you from your chains of sin. Only His life. He suffered so we wouldn’t have to. Get out of your cell. Run away from your chains. They’re not holding you any longer. Stop letting your sin, your DEFEATED SIN, rule your life. Live free.

Secondly, keep broadcasting the news. Now that the testimony was given at a proper time, make sure you keep giving it out! Tell folks the story of your kidnapping. Tell them the price that Jesus paid. Tell them there’s freedom from their self-imposed bondage. In the words of ‘Ol Blue Eyes, start spreading the news. The Good News. The GREATEST NEWS THE UNIVERSE WILL EVER HEAR!

Stuck in the Middle FOR You

“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1Tim 2:5).

Have you ever worked hard to get something but suddenly realize you’re talking to somebody who didn’t have the power or authority to give it to you? Maybe it was a job. Maybe it was money. Maybe it was tickets. Maybe it was getting you OUT of a ticket! Somehow, someway you came to believe they held the keys and could give you what you want. At the moment of truth, they can’t deliver the goods.

Here in his first letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul tells his spiritual son that only God can deliver salvation and there’s only one Man who can deliver your request. “For there is one god, and there is one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (v5). Don’t make the mistake of hoping anyone or anything else can come to the rescue. Don’t make the mistake of asking anyone or anything else to make it happen. Only God saves. Only Christ is in the position to help. Jesus is the God-Man in the middle.

This is a big deal because Paul has just instructed Pastor Tim to have the Ephesian megachurch pray for everyone they know using every kind of prayer imaginable (1Tim 2:1). Specifically, lift up all of the governmental leaders to the Lord (1Tim 2:2). Remember, we’re talking about praying for a ruthless dictator named Nero! So I don’t want to hear any complaints from Democrats about praying for Republicans and vice versa. There’s a two-pronged goal for these prayers. One, so we can be free to be good citizens. Two, so the Lord might save our leaders. God “desires all people to be saved” (1Tim 2:4). Amazingly, that includes politicians!

When it comes to salvation, there’s only One who can pull it off. God. Take a quick look around. Who do you see? How many of them can save you from your sin and yourself? None. Zip. Zilch. Zero. God and only God. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one” (Dt 6:4). When it comes to creating, running, ruling, reigning, sustaining, and saving, there’s only One qualified. The list is short. God. Party of One. 

The authors of Scripture don’t want us to miss the fact that “there is one God” (v5). Don’t be fooled my imitators. Don’t fall for fakes or phonies. “The LORD is God; there is no other besides Him” (Dt 4:35). He’s the only One worthy of our worship. He wired us to worship Him. But the problem is we end up putting other stuff on the throne instead of God. For some of us, it’s a substance, a chemical, or a destructive habit. While incredibly hard to kick, it’s pretty obvious shooting black tar heroin is not exactly worshiping God. You do realize that, don’t you? Whew. 

Too often, it’s not the blatant sin that takes us down. We repeatedly make the mistake of turning the good things God gives us and making them objects of worship. Our spouse. Our kids. Our job. Our income. Our home. This is all good stuff that comes from our very good God. It’s been said that anytime we take a good thing and make it a god thing that’s a bad thing. That’s a simple explanation of idolatry. That’s why God put this in the pole position of His Top Ten. “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Ex 20:3; Dt 5:7). 

He’s the only One qualified to receive our worship. He’s the only One powerful enough to come to our rescue. God uses the prophet Isaiah to drive the point home. “I, I am the LORD, and besides Me there is no savior” (Is 43:11). “Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other” (Is 46:22). “And there is no other god besides Me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides Me. Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other” (Is 45:21-22). Nobody else can save you or me. Period.

There’s only one way access our one and only God. “There is one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (v5). Paul uses a Greek word here (Gr. mesites) describing an intermediary, someone who intervenes to restore peace, a friendship, or ratify a covenant. This is a communicator between two parties who are communicating. An arbitrator. A peacemaker. The term literally means someone in the middle. Someone in between. He’s the God-Man in the middle. To paraphrase Stealer’s Wheel, Jesus is stuck in the middle FOR you.

Jesus mediates our relationship by living the perfect life God demanded which we failed to live. He steps in to die the death we deserve which we should have died. He rises to a new life for us which we don’t deserve. He does for us what we could never dream of doing for ourselves. We desperately need someone to step into our situation. And that’s Jesus. He’s the God-Man in the middle.

The writer of Hebrews throws this word around as he explains the connection between the Old and New Testaments. Jesus oversees the new ministry which is WAY better “than the old as the covenant He mediates (Gr. mesites) is better, since it is enacted on better promises” (Heb 8:6). Christ is our arbitrator and “the mediator (Gr. mesites) of a new covenant” (Heb 9:15; 12:25). Jesus Himself left no doubt when He said He’s the only route to God. “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (Jn 14:6). If you’re keeping score at home, absolutely nobody finds God the Father without going through God the Son. Goose egg.

But the radical Rabbi/Carpenter wasn’t done mediating once He headed home to heaven. At this very moment, He’s doing what He does best. Reconciling. Mediating. Paul gives a peak inside the heavenly throne room where Christ is sitting right next to His Heavenly Dad “interceding for us” (Rom 8:34). There He is again. Smack dab between you and Yahweh. Stuck in the middle FOR you.

Paul leaves no doubt about the identity of our Middle Man. “The Man Christ Jesus” (v5). As a baseball fan, it reminds me of Stan the Man Musial. But the apostle isn’t sitting in the bleachers pulling for his favorite ballplayer. Curiously, there’s no article “the” before “Man” in the original language. So a good way to read this is probably “Christ Jesus, Himself a man.” 

The big idea is to remind us that Jesus is still fully man even after His ascension. He didn’t drop off His humanity at the coat check table just before lifting off. He’s 100% God while at the same 100% man. That adds up to 100% Savior. No 50-50, but 100-100. Bad math but GREAT theology! To help wrap their heads around it, smart dudes call this the Hypostatic Union. Yeah, I don’t get it either.

By taking on humanity, the Son of God became the perfect Savior. The perfect Mediator. The perfect High Priest. According the the author of Hebrews, the God-Man in the Middle is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. He resisted every kind of temptation you and I would ever face. Unlike you and me, Jesus never stumbled, never slipped, never sinned (Heb 4:15). Because of that we confidently “draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:16). All because Jesus was stuck in the middle FOR you. 

The Gospel According to Cheap Trick

“This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1Tim 2:3-4).

“I want you to want me.” Any Cheap Trick fans out there? If you love the 70s like I do, you can sing this little ditty from memory. (As a matter of fact, it’s probably running through your head right now.) This track is all about some dude’s desperate crush on a girl who simply doesn’t feel the same way he does. It’s what literature calls unrequited love. 

So what in the name of pop rock does this Cheap Trick tune have to do with Paul’s first letter to Timothy? Here in chapter two, the apostle tells his spiritual son just how much God desires a relationship with the people He made in His image. “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (v3-4). Let me be clear. I’m NOT saying God has some desire to sing lead for a rock band. But it doesn’t take much imagination to hear the song of His heart for those who are far from Him. He wants us to want Him. Call it the Gospel according to Cheap Trick.

Before anybody freaks out over this comparison of Almighty God and a random rock song, let me be clear. God may want us to want Him, but He certainly does NOT need us to need Him. He doesn’t need anything. As God, He’s absolutely satisfied in Himself. For heaven’s sake, the Godhead is made up of the Trinity. The Father, Son, and Spirit have the most awesome relationship the universe will ever know. God didn’t create the human race out of some dysfunctional loneliness. Far from it. He created us as an act of overflowing goodness. End of disclaimer. We now return you to your regular programming.

Paul begins the second chapter of his letter to the pastor of the Ephesian megachurch with an encouragement for us to pray. Pray in every way possible for every person you can think of (1Tim 2:1). Use every tool in the prayer tool box. Use every club in the bag. The best thing you can do for someone is to talk to your Heavenly Dad on their behalf. More specifically, let’s lift up our governmental leaders (2Tim 2:2). The purpose is so we can be good citizens and be a blessing to our community. 

The apostle goes on to say, “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior” (v3). He uses the Greek word apodektos which the ESV translates as “pleasing” (v3). It only shows up twice in the entire Bible, both right here in this epistle (1Tim 5:4). The term literally means to gladly receive something from another. When we pray for others, God doesn’t begrudgingly take these petitions like kid getting a pajamas on Christmas morning.

We need to remember that God is particularly pumped to get prayers for others, especially for our leaders. He loves to see His people living peacefully, quietly, godly, and dignified lives. Or in the words of The Message, “This is the way our Savior God wants us to live” (v3 The Message). What do you get the God who has everything (and I do mean EVERYTHING!)? How about prayers for others?!? The Lord is excited to receive them! They’re always the perfect size and always the right color. Unlike that frightfully ugly sweater you opened last Christmas. No, really. I love it. I’ve always wanted a pullover with a cat wearing a Santa Claus costume. Really.

Paul then drops the same title he used in the opening line of the letter. “God our Savior” (v3, 1Tim 1:1). It’s a powerful reminder that we desperately need outside intervention in order to be saved. Let’s be clear. We can’t save ourselves. I can’t. You can’t. Neither can Billy Graham. Just in case you’d like to give self-salvation a shot, all you have to do is obey every single law in the Bible. Every. Single. One. You see, God set a standard of spotless perfection. Despite this impossible goal, just about everyone one of us gives it a go at some point in our lives. Some of you are STILL trying. In the words of the great philosopher and theologian Dr. Phil, “How’s that workin’ for ya?”

That’s where “God our Savior” comes in. We can’t save ourselves. As the sinless Son of God, Jesus left the comforts of heaven to perform the ultimate search and rescue mission. He dove into the dumpster of sin we made of God’s perfect paradise. He lived the perfect life that we failed to live. He died the death for our sin that we should have died. He rose to new life that we don’t deserve. “God our Savior” came to our rescue. He did for us what we could never dream of doing for ourselves. 

Our Savior God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (v4). The key word here is “desires,” which is the Greek term thelo. It describes a desire, a wish, or a want. If you asked God what He really wanted, this would be at the top of the list. In His heart of hearts, He desires that every single person would turn to Him for salvation. Or in the words of Cheap Trick, He wants us to want Him.

And God wants ALL of us to want ALL of Him. Before you think we’re going all Calvinistic or Arminian, just stop right there. Save that debate for another day. Later in this very letter, Paul tells Tim, “We have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially this who believe” (1Tim 4:10). His heart is to rescue everyone. Every. Single. Person. It’s only those those who place their trust in Jesus who realize His grace. The Message has an awesome take on this truth. “He wants not only us but everyone saved” (v4 The Message). Every. Single. Person.

This all ties into the timing of Jesus’ spectacular encore. Who wouldn’t love be alive to see that?!? Paul’s buddy Peter says it’s Christ’s heart of compassion that delays His return and final judgment of sin. “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2Pet 3:9). He’s not late. He’s simply waiting for every person possible to turn to Him. He wants ALL of us to want ALL of Him. 

That’s not all. God wanted you to be saved more than you did. He wants your friends and family to be saved more than you do. He cares for people more than you do. He loves people more than you do. You might think the Old Testament is all about a wrathful God who just can’t wait to fling one of His supernatural lightning bolts when we mess up. Far from it. “Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD” (Ezek 18:23, 32). Our disobedience absolutely breaks His heart. He wants us to want Him but there’s just on problem. We continually reject His offer of the everlasting life preserver.

So why doesn’t God the Savior simply save everyone? He IS God after all. If He’s almighty and wants everyone to be in His kingdom, why doesn’t He just do it? It all goes back to the beginning. And when I say “beginning,” I mean “in the beginning” (Gen 1:1). When He made us in His image (Gen 1:26-27), He gave us the ability to choose. Now our sin has horribly corrupted our choices. Inherent in that choice is possibility to NOT choose God.

You see, He didn’t make us robots who are programmed to follow and obey Him. He wants us to want Him. How cruel would God be if He rescued those who don’t want any part of Him? It’s said that the gates of Hell are locked from the inside. Those who reject Jesus actually choose to be there. To drag everyone who turns their back on Christ to spend eternity with Him would be brutal. The best way to understand what this is the Gospel according to Cheap Trick. He wants us to want Him. 

God saves us when we “come to the knowledge of the truth” (v4). Not just the facts, but the truth. You don’t experience His rescue by simply memorizing historical data about the existence of some radical Rabbi/Carpenter from the boondocks of Galilee. We trust in who He is and what He’s done for us. We trust in THE Truth with a capital T. As Henry Blackaby says, Truth is a Person. 

Jesus Himself left no doubt about it when He boldly told His disciples, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (Jn 14:6). Not a truth. THE Truth. Christ is the wisdom of God in human flesh (1Cor 1:24). We experience that Truth when we follow Him obediently. Or as the Amplified Bible says, that’s when we “perceive and recognize and discern and know precisely and correctly the [divine] Truth” (v4 AMP).He wants us to know the Truth. He wants us to want Him.

So what does God want us to want to do with this? You and I need to realize that there’s no one in the universe who desires for people to be saved more than God. You may have a white hot burning passion for certain people in your life to know Jesus. But that’s a smoldering cinder compared to the fire in the heart of Christ for them. And His love isn’t limited to just the folks on your list. His heart is for very single person you lock eyes with to step under the waterfall of His grace. 

Remember, He loves the entire world so much He sent His Son to the rescue (Jn 3:16). Whatever you do, don’t stop praying for them. Don’t stop telling them about our Savior. Don’t stop loving them. He doesn’t. Don’t give up on them. He doesn’t. He won’t force them using some sort of supernatural submission hold. He longs for every one of us to willing desire a relationship with Him. He wants them to want Him. He wants you to want Him. He wants us to want Him. It’s the Gospel according to Cheap Trick.

Religion and Politics

“for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1Tim 2:2).

If you want to stir up a boring conversation, toss these two handy dandy grenades that are guaranteed to get folks fired up. Politics and religion. If you’re like me (and that’s not necessarily a good thing!), your Facebook and Twitter feeds are chockfull of one or the other, if not BOTH. And it’s coming from both sides. (Insert elected official’s name here) is the antichrist and has a secret plan to steal all your money and give it to (insert a demographic group you’re not a part of here) and turn our country over to the (insert your worst nightmare nation here). If that’s not bad enough, everybody you know is more than happy to tell you who’s headed straight for heaven or hell. Sometimes I feel like Stealers Wheel got it right. “Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right.” 

Well, our old buddy Paul wasn’t afraid to toss BOTH at the SAME TIME! In his first letter to Timothy, the apostle fires both barrels. He tells Tim that we should pray “for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (v2). He’s encouraged his spiritual son that we should use every kind of prayer to pray for every person we can think of (1Tim 2:1). Now he gets more specific. Pray for those who are in charge. The purpose? So that we can give God glory by being good citizens. Let that sink in for a minute.

Our prayer list of political leaders starts at the top. We’re to pray “for kings and all who are in high positions” (v2). Chances are if you’re reading this, you don’t live under the reign of a king or queen (if you do, I’m pretty stoked that someone from another country actually took the time to read this!). Here in the good ol’ U.S. of A., the President is our highest elected official. It’s no tough stretch to understand that Paul call us to pray for the POTUS. But wait just a New York minute. Am I saying we should pray for our President even if you didn’t vote for him? If that’s the case…ESPECIALLY if you didn’t vote for him! 

This is where you try to argue with the apostle that he really doesn’t have a clue what kind of Commander-in-Chief we have right now. Pray for him? You’ve GOT to be kidding me! If I’m praying anything, it’s that God will supernaturally impeach the Prez. Here’s the dealio. We’ve got a little problem. It’s called the Bible. According to Scripture, it doesn’t matter. Conservative. Liberal. Republican. Democrat. Red state. Blue state. Pray for your President. No exceptions. No loopholes. 

Here’s the little fact-a-rooni that shuts up any argument you throw Paul’s way. The apostle calls his Ephesian brothers and sisters to pray for Nero. Yes, THAT Nero. One of the most corrupt and bloodthirsty dictators in human history. The ruler of the Roman Empire didn’t exactly have a soft spot in his heart for the followers of Jesus either. At more than one instance, Nero slaughtered countless Christians. Yet, the man from Tarsus tells his readers to pray for their king. 

Nero may have been ruthless and wicked but he rules over Rome because God has placed him there. As a result, we’re to do what our government leaders tell us to do. “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Rom 13:1). Again, Paul writes these words to the followers of Jesus who are living in the capital of the empire. If anyone knew how awful Nero is, it’s the church in Rome. So here’s the deal. If first century believers can pray for this vicious emperor, I’m pretty sure can ask God to bless whoever is in the Oval Office. Besides, we place our trust in the King of ALL kings!

So how do we pray for our President and other governmental leaders? Pray that God would bless them. Pray that He would provide them with the wisdom needed to make difficult decisions. Pray that He would keep them healthy. Pray that He would provide them with level heads. And of course, pray that He would save them. We see in the very next couple of verses how our Savior “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1Tim 2:3-4). It’s happened before. Ever heard of Constantine? If not, take a moment to Google the guy. We’ll wait for you.

The point in praying for kings and other leaders in authority is so we can lead a “peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (v2). Peaceful. Quiet. Godly. Dignified. THIS is what good citizenship looks like for believers. It’s another way of describing the life Paul states back in chapter one. “The aim of our charge is love, that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1Tim 1:5). The bottom line is that God’s people should be a pleasure to govern. They shouldn’t be loud, annoying, obstinate, and a pain in the neck.

Check out the adjectives the apostle uses to describe Jesus’ followers as citizens. Peaceful. Quiet. Godly. Dignified. Who wouldn’t love neighbors who are like that? “Peaceful” (Gr. eremos) describes a lack of external disturbances. All is calm on the outside. He’s talking about someone who isn’t loud and obnoxious. Nobody’s calling the cops because the party’s still cranking at 3am. Are you living in a constant state of drama and continually dragging others into your hot mess? This doesn’t mean believers don’t need others to come alongside when life gets tough. And be sure that God’s people know how to party. Oh, we can celebrate with the best of them. But God calls us to be peaceful people.

Upstanding citizens of Christ’s kingdom should also be “quiet” (v2). No, this isn’t somebody who always talks in a whisper or thinks life should be like a library. While the previous word described what’s going on outside, hesuchios pulls the curtain back on an inward tranquility and rest. We’re “peaceful” on the outside because we’re “quiet” on the inside. Once we place our trust in who Jesus is and what He has done for us, a supernatural calm. We’re not continually anxious and constantly freaking out…especially when it comes to politics! 

An important characteristic for every Jesus follower everywhere is to be “godly” (v2). Paul uses a compound word here (Gr. eusebeia) that literally means “good worship.” It’s reverence toward God in all that we do. Everything we do is an act of worship to Jesus. It’s living life with our eyes on heaven. You’ve probably heard about someone who was so heavenly minded that they were no earthly good. Nothing could be farther from the truth. We become effective spreaders of His salt and shiners of His light when we remember all that He’s done for us that we could never do for ourselves. We need to pray for those in authority so that we can continue to be a blessing to our neighbors and coworkers.

The idea of godliness is one of the really big ideas in this letter. Women who love Jesus should “profess godliness” (1Tim 2:9-10). Even Paul can’t wrap his brain around the “mystery of godliness” (1Tim 3:16). As followers of Christ, you should “train yourself for godliness” because “godliness is of value in every way” (1Tim 4:7-8). The adult children and grandchildren of widows are “to show godliness” to these ladies (1Tim 5:4). What we learn about Jesus must always encourage us with a lifestyle “that accords with godliness” (1Tim 6:3). Spiritual hucksters have cook up a scheme to make a fast buck because they think that “godliness is a means of gain” (1Tim 6:5). What they’ve missed is “godliness with contentment” is the key to true success and satisfaction in life” (1Tim 6:6). Instead chasing the almighty dollars, we should be sprinting after “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness” (1Tim 6:11).

Paul also tells Tim that we’re to be “dignified (Gr. semnotes)” (v2). It’s the idea of being honest, honorable, and respectable. Before you think you need to wear a monocle and start acting all snooty, think again. The Pharisees nailed the whole holier-than-thou deal and it went very badly for them. The apostle is describing someone who doesn’t take themselves seriously but takes Jesus VERY seriously. A little later, Paul applies this idea as a key trait for an elder. “He must manage his own household well, with all dignity (Gr. semnotes)” (1Tim 3:4). He tells Titus to be a teacher who demonstrates “integrity, dignity (Gr. semnotes), and sound speech that cannot be condemned” (Titus 2:7-8). Do you treat those around you with dignity and respect? Remember, EVERYONE you meet is made in the image of our Creator. As hard as it is to believe at times, that includes politicians and our elected officials.

God calls us to be good citizens. Jesus’ church isn’t to be a team of agitators who make life miserable for our fellow citizens. We’re to be God’s firehose of blessing to our neighborhood, our community, our state, and our nation. That’s independent of what kind of government ruling over us. Do you follow the laws and ordinances? Are speed limits simply a suggestion? Do you fudge on your taxes? Remember, how we live is a direct reflection of the One we worship. 

Maybe living under what you consider to be a godless government gives you a free pass. Folks like Joseph, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego all thrived under governments who didn’t exactly fit the label of Christian nations (whatever THAT means!). Were there times they had to take a stand to follow God when a law was leading them into sin? You betcha. But you didn’t see them going off the grid and living in some remote compound to keep themselves far from the filth of the fallen world.

As a matter of fact, God specifically tells His people to be good citizens while they’re prisoners in Babylon. “Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jer 29:4-7). Did you catch that last part? Seek your city’s welfare. Pray for your city. When things go well for your city, they will go well for you.

While Paul mixes religion and politics, he never tells Tim to force anyone to follow God’s rules. There’s no ramming of godliness down the throat of a nation. That’s just not how the kingdom of Christ works. In the same way that God changes us from the inside out, He does the same with society. When He changes our hearts, our lifestyle will follow. But that’s another discussion for another day.

In the meantime, let’s make a point of praying for our governmental leaders. Yes, that means the President, whether you voted for him or not. Pray that God blesses them. Pray that God saves them. Pray that He uses them to bring glory to His name. At the same time, let’s be a blessing to our friends and neighbors. Being citizens of God’s kingdom means being good and godly citizens of your city, state, and nation. See, you CAN mix politics and religion.

The First Resort

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people” (1Tim 2:1).

You’ve heard it before. “All we can do now is pray.” Heard it before? Shoot, we’ve all said it before! You’re familiar with the situation. Things are dark and desperate. We’ve exhausted all other options. We’ve knocked on every door. We’ve tried everything else. We’ve done everything humanly possible but nothing has changed. At this point, we turn to God and plead for Him to come to the rescue. We pray as a last resort.

But Paul reminds Timothy that prayer should be at the top of our to-do list when life goes spinning out of control. ESPECIALLY when it does. The apostle writes to the Ephesian pastor, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people” (v1). Before you do anything else, pray. Cry out to God. First and foremost. Use every kind of prayer you can think of on behalf of every person you can come up with. Pray as a first resort.

Had the Ephesian church stopped praying? Sure seems to be the case. At the very least, their prayer life was on life support. John MacArthur has a sneaking suspicion that was the fallout of the counterfeit gospel being sold by the false teachers (1Tim 1:3-7). According to their not-so-good news, we’re responsible for our own salvation. When that’s the case, we focus on ourselves and stop praying for everyone else. With Paul on divine assignment somewhere in Macedonia, he tells Tim to get believers’ knees on the floor and their eyes off themselves.

Are sure sign of trouble in your relationship with God is a nonexistent prayer life. Or maybe you pray, but it’s kinda “meh.” It’s just something you’re supposed to do. Like flossing. I write because I know. For whatever reason, I don’t pray like I know I should. For heaven’s sake, Jesus has granted me the incredible privilege of speaking directly with the Creator of the universe. Almighty God will make all the time for me at any time. What’s my response? A little prayer here. Another over there. Pray first? Some days, I’m lucky to pray at all. Like I said, I write because I know. Let’s just say the Ephesian megachurch isn’t the only one with a mega-problem with prayer. 

Paul then gives us a a pretty awesome inventory of the different types of prayer available to us. “Supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings” (v1). Whatever your prayer need, there’s a kind of prayer ready for you to use. Specialized tools for every kind of situation. Pretty cool, huh? Talking to God isn’t like trying to get in touch with a customer service rep for the cable company. If my call really is important to them, why am I do I have to wait 47 minutes to speak with somebody who won’t really help me in the first place? Prayer is NOTHING like that. When I pray, there’s not “press 1 for supplication, press 2 for prayer, press 3 for intercession, and 4 for thanksgiving.” You just pray. All flavors are readily available. All kinds are happily received.

So let’s take a quick look at our prayer options. First of all, there are “supplications” (v1). This Greek word (Gr de’esis) describes a plea, a request, or something asked with urgency base on a need. It comes from a term that means to lack, be deprived, or be without. We’re to ask God to meet the obvious needs in the lives of others. Because of what Jesus has done for us, we can make a beeline “to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:16). God has the vast resources and is more than ready to meet “every need of yours” (Phil 4:19). When we see a need, let’s ask Jesus to meet that need. By the way, often times He uses you and me to do it!

The next tools in the prayer tool box are, not surprisingly, “prayers” (v1). The meaning of the term (Gr. proseuche) in the original language is…drum roll, please…prayer. It’s calling on God to help. In other words, talk to the Lord about the people in your life. Remember, He already knows all about them. Tell Him how much you care for them. Tell Him how much you struggle with them. Tell Him that you love them. Tell Him that you don’t. Whatever you do, pray for them. Join them in their prayers. Ask Jesus to show up in a big way in their lives. Ask Him to absolutely bless their socks off. 

Paul encourages us to make “intercessions” (v1) for folks. The idea here is actually a one-one-on meeting with a person. It’s an intimate conversation with someone in authority on behalf of another. You’ve done this before from a friend or family member. You make a quick phone call to get them some help. The apostle urges us to do the same thing but to go a little higher up the org chart. Tell God. Talk to the One who really can make a difference. Hey, you’re just doing what some other really powerful people are doing for you. Jesus is personally interceding for you with His Dad at this very moment (Rom 8:26). As a matter of fact, it’s a huge part of His mission in life (Heb 7:25).

And don’t forget to tell God just how cool it is that He’s placed these people in your life. Make sure to offer “thanksgivings” (v1) for them. What a great reminder that we’re not flying solo as we follow Jesus. The Lord surrounds us with others for a reason. We need each other. He continually uses the people in our lives to bless us, guide us, encourage us, and correct us. Remember, it’s a two-way street. They need God to use you just as much as you need them. Paul gently taps us on the shoulder to thank our Savior for others. King David even saw God using his worst enemies and biggest critics (2Sam 17:11-12). Thank Jesus for the people who surround you. Even your enemies.

How are we to use all these kinds of prayers? There must be some sort of special list of people we’re supposed to pray for. The apostle encourages us that these prayers are to “be made for all people” (v1). As someone once said, “All means ‘all’ and that’s all ‘all’ means.” Jesus doesn’t have a “no pray” list. Take a look around. Who do you see? Who do you not see? Now, pray for all of them. Every. Single. One. We’re not to limit who we pray for or about. “All people” (v1). In other words, use every kind of prayer for every kind of person. That’s what happens when the Gospel gets ahold of us. Slowly and steadily, we take on a “Me Third” attitude. God first. Others second. Me third. As a result, go to God first about the other people in your life. And here’s a little secret. Our prayers for others doesn’t so much change God’s mind about someone. He already loves them. It softens my heart for them. 

So when it comes to prayer, don’t wait until your back is against the wall. Don’t get me wrong. Pray when your between a rock and a hard place. God certainly does some of His best work just before the clock runs out. But pray early. Pray often. Pray for others. Use every club in your bag. Supplication. Prayer. Intercession. Thanksgiving. I love how the Message puts it. “The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know” (v1 The Message). Every way you know how. For everyone you know. Pray as the first resort.

The Despicable Duo

“Among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme” (1Tim 1:20).

There have been some great two-man teams in history. The Muppets have Bert and Ernie. Stars of the cartoon world are Tom and Jerry, Fred and Barney, Bugs and Daffy. Musically there’s Lennon and McCartney. Hey, where would Oates be without Hall or Garfunkel without Simon? The list goes on. Thelma and Louise. Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock. Holmes and Watson. Mantle and Maris. And of course there’s the Dynamic Duo of Batman and Robin. 

But allow Paul to introduce you to a pair you may never heard of before. Meet partners in crime who did quite a lot of damage to Ephesian church. “Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme” (v20). You can add them to the list of folks like Bonnie and Clyde, Frank and Jesse James. Call them the Despicable Duo.

Paul has already kicked these two goobers to the curb but their influence remains at the church in Ephesus. With the apostle on the road to Macedonia, he installs his spiritual son Timothy as pastor of this growing megachurch. At the top of Tim’s to-do list is cleaning up the theological mess made by a team of false teachers (1Tim 1:3-7). They’ve spread a false gospel that’s really no gospel at all. Anything less than the Good News is bad news. 

Tim is just the man for the job. Back in the day, people actually prophesied and predicted a day like this would come for the young man from Lystra (1Tim 1:18). Hymenaeus and Alexander failed to pay attention to the warning lights on the dashboard of their consciences and slammed their faith on the rocks (1Tim 1:19). Think the Titanic was a tragedy? Forget Jack and Rose. James Cameron make a disaster flick about Hymenaeus and Alexander.

So just exactly who are these guys? And why did Paul give them the right foot of fellowship out the front door? John MacArthur believes this not-so-dynamic duo were actually pastors or at least prominent leaders in the fellowship. The first step in extinguishing the Ephesian dumpster fire required removing these knuckleheads from their position of influence. Why else would Paul leave Tim specific instructions and qualifications for new leaders in the church (1Tim 3:1-13)? Clearly, the Despicable Duo would not meet this biblical standard of leadership. Not even close.

So just what did Hymenaeus do to get tossed? Paul links this rascal with another false teacher named Philetus in his second letter to Tim. They messed with people’s heads by  “saying the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some” (2Tim 2:17-18). Imagine you’re a brand new believer and someone says you’ve missed the resurrection of the dead. You’d be upset. VERY upset! 

While we don’t have the audio recording or a podcast of what these guys were saying, it’s yet another VERY loud warning about handling God’s Word. To manipulate His truth is to speak ill of our holy God is blasphemy. Just so you know, this kind of goofball teaching is still out there today. Crap like blood moons. The end of the world is next Tuesday. Jesus wants your pastor to have a new private jet. That garbage needs to be stopped. Right here. Right now. You see, there’s still a need for 21st century Timothies.

While Hymenaeus gets top billing, don’t forget his slimy sidekick Alexander. You can bet this is the very same malicious metalworker the apostle mentions over in 2 Timothy. “Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds” (2Tim 4:14). He may have been part of the original attack on Paul and his team in Ephesus. Craftsmen who made big bucks in the pagan idol business freaked out when people stopped buying their products and started worshiping Jesus (Acts 19:23-27). It was a whole scene. Riots. Mob violence. Think Ferguson or Baltimore. Dr. Luke mentions a man named Alexander who tries to speak, but the protestors will have nothing of it (Acts 19:33-34). Is it the same dude? We really don’t know. 

One thing we do know is these two were “handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme” (v20). Don’t misunderstand what’s going down here. Paul hasn’t sent them to Hell for the devil to torture them for eternity. God is still in complete control of Satan. Remember how the prince of darkness had to ask God’s permission to target a human (Job 1:6-12). The Almighty isn’t freaking out about what Satan is going to do to Hymenaeus and Alexander. 

That’s because this is all about restoration. This is all about hoping these men wake up and smell the coffee. It’s the point of church discipline. A lot of people get their undies in a bundle when someone even mentions it. That’s not to say some churches aren’t heavy handed with their authority. You may have heard recently of the ridiculous story where a pastor with an itchy trigger finger kicked out a bedridden 92-year-old woman for not attending or tithing. You can be sure that picking on MeMaw when she’s down and out is NOT what Jesus has in mind. If you’ve been on the receiving end of spiritual abuse by a church, that’s wrong. WAY wrong. 

Meanwhile back in Ephesus, Paul ultimately leaves it to Christ to judge and punish the Despicable Duo. The purpose isn’t punishment. God says that’s His job (Dt 32:25; Rom 12:19). The goal isn’t a life sentence hoping you never see their ugly mugs again. It’s not “get out and stay out.” It’s restoration. Being excommunicated from the church clearly leaves us exposed to Satan’s attacks. 

The apostle has talked about this before. In one of his notes to the Corinthian church, Paul busts their chops for tolerating some guy sleeping with his stepmom. Instead of looking the other way, he tells them, “You are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord” (1Cor 5:5). Did you see that? “So that his spirit may be saved.” There’s hope that he’ll return to the fellowship in the end. There’s still hope for these Ephesian blasphemy brothers. And there’s always hope for anyone being disciplined. Being handed over to Satan can do that.

The apostle is also protecting the church. A key part of a shepherd’s job description is dealing with threats. Believers are always better off without troublemakers like Hymenaeus and Alexander spewing their spiritual snake oil in Sunday school and small group Bible studies. It’s addition by subtraction. Listen, I dread church discipline like a root canal. BUT root canals are still necessary for good oral health. There are times when church discipline is necessary for good spiritual health. 

When the doctor finds cancer, he must cut it out. Paul had to surgically remove the tumor of these two from the church before it spread any further. The Despicable Duo was getting in the way of Jesus’ followers being able to, well, follow Jesus. They were unable to keep the main thing the main thing. We need to be VERY careful not to Bogart the Lord’s spotlight for our pet projects. 

So what does this distant dustup in a first century Asian church have to do with you and me? Everything. Have you ever needed to correct anyone? Better yet, have you ever been corrected? Spiritual brothers and sisters must be able to have hard conversations with each other, especially when they see someone speeding toward danger. The Bible calls it “speaking the truth in love” (Eph 4:15). Many times speaking the truth is the most loving thing we can do. I’m really hoping someone will say something to me long before I get thrown out the front door like the Despicable Duo.