Page 638 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

TIPHSAH - TITHE

therefore authentical; so as in all controversies of relegated to a secondary role to the parachurch ministry,
religion the church is finally to appeal unto them.” the Pastoral Epistles are a sharp rebuke.
Why 1 and 2 Timothy Are Hated by Theological 8. They expose the apostasy of the last days (2 Ti.
Modernists and Ecumenists 3:1-9). No wonder the devil has tried to cast aspersion
1. These epistles exalt doctrine. “Doctrine” and upon the Pastoral Epistles! They plainly expose his
“truth” are mentioned 59 times in the Pastoral Epistles schemes.
(1:3; 2:7; 3:9,15; 4:1,6, 13, 16; 5:17; 6:3). The 9. They exalt the Bible as the perfect Word of God (2
Apostolic love of sound doctrine goes against the grain Ti. 3:16-17; 4:3-4). In an age in which the Bible is
of this rebellious, ecumenical generation. considered to be a book containing myth and error, the
2. They demand exposure of and separation from testimony of the Pastoral Epistles is a breath of fresh air
false teaching. Ten times false teachers are exposed by —or a sharp rebuke—depending on what side of the
name—1 Ti. 1:20; 2 Ti. 1:15; 2:17; 3:8; 4:10, 14. They battle you are on. [See Apostasy, Apostate, Church,
identify false doctrine as demonic (1 Ti. 4:1-5). The Doctrine, Fable, False Prophet, False Teaching, Heresy,
Pastoral Epistles instruct the churches to deal with Inspiration, Pastor, Rebuke, Separation, Unity, Women.]
heresy in no uncertain terms (1 Ti. 6:3-5,20; 2 Ti. TIPHSAH (passing over, halting). 2 Ki. 15:16.
2:21-22; 3:5; Tit. 3:9- 11). TIRAS (desire, longing). Ge. 10:2.
3. They correct the misuse of the law. 1 Timothy TIRE. (1) Head dress; hair dressing (2 Ki. 9:30; Eze.
contains a plain warning about misuse of the law, and 24:17, 23). This might have referred to piling the hair in
reaffirms the law’s intended purpose—to lead to and tiers, or to some sort of head dress which was tierical.
exalt the grace of Jesus Christ (1 Ti. 1:3-11). The gospel The same Hebrew word is translated “bonnet” (Is. 3:20;
is being corrupted on every hand today. False teachers Eze. 44:18) and “ornament” (Is. 61:10). (2) Moon
misuse the law and attempt to mix law and grace. The shaped ornaments (Is. 3:18). (3) To attire; to adorn (2
Pastoral Epistles correct this error. Ki. 9:30).
4. They establish Christ’s deity. Two of the clearest TIRHAKAH (exalted, inquirer). 2 Ki. 19:9.
testimonies to Christ’s deity in the Bible are found in 1 TIRHANAH (permanent dwelling, condescension). 1
Timothy. 1 Ti. 1:17 says Jesus Christ is the “only wise Ch. 2:48.
God.” 1 Ti. 3:16 says Jesus Christ was “God manifest in
the flesh.” TIRIA (fear, searching out). 1 Ch. 4:16.
5. They restrict the woman’s role in the ministry. The TIRSHATHA (who overturns the foundation, stern).
inspired teaching of the Pastoral Epistles regarding the A title Cyrus, King of Persia, gave to Zerubbabel and
woman’s role in Christian ministry is far more restrictive Nehemiah, as governors of Jerusalem (Ezr. 2:63; Ne.
than modern thinking allows. The first epistle to 8:9; 10:1; 12:47).
Timothy forbids women from teaching or taking TIRZAH (his delight, well pleasing). Nu. 26:33.
authority over men (1 Ti. 2:11-14). Paul said this TISHBITE (to take captive, turning back). A
restriction was because of the divine order of creation designation for Elisha (1 Ki. 17:1; 21:17,28; 2 Ki. 1:3, 8;
(1 Ti. 2:13) and because of the created nature of the 9:36). [See Elisha.]
woman (1 Ti. 2:14). One of the qualifications for TITHE. The tithe means ten percent. Compare Ge.
pastors and deacons is that they be the “husband of one 14:20 with He. 7:2.
wife.” This obviously restricts the leadership of the Tithing before the Law of Moses. Abraham was the
church to men. Some believe these restrictions do not first man who tithed (Ge. 14:18-20). He did not tithe
apply today, but the Bible says they are to be kept until out of obligation to the Law; he tithed to honor God
Christ’s returns (1 Ti. 6:13-14). through God’s representative king/priest Melchizedek.
6. They maintain high standards for Christian Jacob continued the practice of tithing (Ge. 28:20-22).
leadership (1 Ti. 3:1-13; Tit. 1:14-11). Not only is the We see, then, that tithing is not something that
leadership ministry restricted to men, but it is restricted originated with the Law. It was a principle that has been
to a very special type of men (1 Ti. 3:1-12). The man understood by God’s people from the beginning.
must have the right call (3:1), the right personal life Tithing under the Law. Under the Law of Moses, there
(3:2-3), the right family life (3:2, 4), the right was actually a double tithe. The first tithe was given to
experience (3:6), the right reputation (3:7), and the sustain the priests (Nu. 18:21-24; De. 12:19; Ne.
right training (Tit. 1:9). Such high standards go against 10:38). The second tithe was eaten before the Lord by
the grain of a morally loose generation. the offerers (De. 12:17-18; 14:22-27). This second tithe
7. They exalt the local church (1 Ti. 3:15; Tit. 1:5). was taken out of that which remained after the Levites
In a day when the church is despised and neglected and were satisfied, and was given every third year (De.

638 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity