Meditation
Good morning Reader,
Today's verses are charged (no pun intended !) with the vocabulary of warfare. The battle in Ephesus is in full swing, Timothy is a soldier and cannot desert his post.
He is to hold on to faith and a good conscience in the face of warfare.
Two men, Hymenaeus and Alexander, let go of their conscience, and their faith was wrecked as a consequence. The image of shipwreck is particularly potent for Paul, who has himself been shipwrecked on several occasions.
While this opening chapter began with Paul asserting his authority it ends with Timothy being reminded of his responsibility.
What Paul received by mercy, Timothy has a responsibility to guard.
One final note from David Guzik's sermon on the first chapter: "Delivered to Satan" means Hymenaeus and Alexander were put out of the church and into the world. That takes away its protection; it does not inflict harm. The goal was to correct them so they would "learn not to blaspheme."
Today's verses are 1 Timothy 1:18-20
18 This charge I commit to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to you, that by them you may wage the good warfare;
19 holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith; 20 of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.
Encouragement
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23
Andy
God's Word In Your Hand