Paul’s special orders or charge to Timothy: (Chap.6):
Paul gives advice to Timothy to educate the congregation of the attitude of different cross sections of the members in the church. The chapter is full of instructions, commands, charge given to Timothy.
Instructions for slaves and Masters: (employer-employee): (6:1-2):
In the days of Paul there was a great social gulf existing between slaves and masters. But as Christians they are equal in the eyes of God and treat each other as brothers and sisters. This is the same for employee-employer. Paul did not speak about the abolition of slavery or was he trying to become a champion of slave abolition. Instead he changed their relations in Christ and made them as equals, brothers. This is more than the abolition of slavery. We can see the best example in his letter to Philemon. At the same time, he gave guide lines for proper behaviour of slaves and masters (employee and employer). Employee should work hard showing respect for their employers. In turn the employers should be fair in dealing with them. Our work should reflect our faithfulness and love for Christ. If the employer is a believer, the employee should not take it for granted to show less respect. Instead he should give more respect to a believing employer for his conduct and attitude.
False teachers: (6:3-5):
Paul warns Timothy against those who preach false doctrines and experiences.
Instead of focusing on plain teaching of the Bible, they focus on some prophesies, their own experiences, some strange visions etc. and carry away the listeners into some blissful world. Some of the most dangerous teaching in the church isn’t done from a pulpit, but in informal, private conversations.
The behaviour of the false teachers which may be in our lives also:
- We don’t have to be an active opponent of God’s word or to be an enemy of it. If we fail to give the Bible its rightful place in our life and in our preaching, we oppose God’s word.
- Those of us who treat the Word of God more as a plaything instead of as a precious gift.
- It is possible not to profess any ungodly or manifest error and yet we corrupt the doctrine of godliness by silly boastful babbling. For when there is no progress or edification from any teaching, it has already departed from the institution of Christ.” (Calvin)
- Presently we are overwhelmed with useless information. It is easy to regard the Bible as useless information or as a source of answers to trivia questions, but not as a book with truth that confronts and transforms my life. Bible study is not trivial pursuit; to treat the Bible as a book of useless information is to misuse it.
- Some people twist God’s Word using it as a toy to be played with in debate and disputes.
- We can be surrounded by God’s truth; we can even memorize the Bible, and not have it effect the life for eternity. Curiosity or interest in God’s Word without submission to it is a grave danger.
- Some feed on empty questions and meanings of such words.
Those who misuse God’s Word may be expert debaters but some aspect of doctrine shows their unwillingness to humbly receive the truth. By their pride they create disputes and arguments. Their presence in a church body is the source of all kinds of division and discontent; though they may appear to be experts on the Bible, they actually do damage to God’s church. Therefore, Paul had warned Timothy to withdraw from such people. Such people create Strife and evil suspicions
Timothy was told not to deliberately associate with those who receive or present the gospel with this kind of marketing approach. They do not openly oppose the Gospel, but make a profession out of it, yet their company is infectious. “We should therefore take great pains to make everyone understand that we are quite different from them, and have nothing at all in common with them.” (Calvin)