Explore The New TestamentSample

SAY WHAT? (What is the passage saying?)

• In the first two verses Paul gives Timothy some principles for relationships. He compare our relationships in the church to relationships we have with family members.
• Paul writes about taking care of widows. In verse 8 he adds that anyone who doesn’t take care of his immediate family “is worse than an unbeliever.” This isn’t saying that people who don’t follow Jesus are bad people. It’s saying that neglecting family is, in a sense, at least in that area of our lives, choosing not to follow Jesus, since God tells us to take care of them.
• In verse 23 Paul tells Timothy to drink a little wine. Many believe that Timothy had stomach problems and, at the time, a home remedy was to consume wine diluted with water.
• The chapter ends with Paul writing that the sins of some people are so obvious that everyone knows about them. Conversely, the sins of others are hidden or obscure and only surface later, perhaps after the person has died. Paul says the same is true of good deeds.

SO WHAT? (What are the underlying principles?)

• When we follow Jesus we become part of God's family. We need to view other Christ-followers, especially those in our church, as our family.
• Even if we try to hide them, our sins will be found out eventually.

NOW WHAT? (How will you personally apply this passage?)

• How are your relationships with your family?
  • Are you meeting your responsibilities and taking care of who you need to?
  • Do you think of the people at your church as your family? You should, so how could you think more like that, and start to live that way?
• Some people are hiding their sins, but they will eventually come out and ruin the person's legacy. What do you want your legacy to be? Are there things you're hiding that will come out later? Perhaps you should pray about revealing those things now, in appropriate ways? The Bible says that what is hidden festers, but what's brought into the light can be healed.