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OCTOBER 22

1:4 fables and endless genealogies. Legends 1:13 because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
and fanciful stories manufactured from ele- Paul was neither a Jewish apostate nor a
ments of Judaism (v.7;Titus 1:14),which prob- Pharisee who clearly understood Jesus’teach-
ably dealt with allegorical or fictitious ing and still rejected Him. He was a zealous,
interpretations of Old Testament genealogical fastidious Jew trying to earn his salvation,thus
lists.In reality,they were “doctrines of demons” lost and damned. His plea of ignorance was
(4:1), posing as God’s truth (4:7). not a claim to innocence nor an excuse deny-
ing his guilt.It was simply a statement indicat-
1:8 the law is good. The Greek word for ing that he did not understand the truth of
“good” can be translated “useful.” The law is Christ’s gospel and was honestly trying to pro-
good or useful because it reflects God’s holy tect his religion. His willing repentance when
will and righteous standard (Ps. 19:7; Rom. confronted by Christ is evidence that he had
7:12) which accomplishes its purpose in show- not understood the ramifications of his
ing sinners their sin (Rom.3:19) and their need actions—he truly thought he was doing God a
for a Savior (Gal.3:24).The law forces people to service (Acts 26:9).
recognize that they are guilty of disobeying
God’s commands, and it thereby condemns
every person and sentences them to hell. that Christ Jesus came into the world to save
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sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for
this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first
manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as
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kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there a pattern to those who are going to believe on
is any other thing that is contrary to sound Him for everlasting life. Now to the King
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doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone
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the blessed God which was committed to my is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever.
trust. Amen.
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has 18 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy,
enabled me, because He counted me faithful, according to the prophecies previously made
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putting me into the ministry, although I was concerning you, that by them you may wage the
formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an good warfare, having faith and a good con-
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insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I science, which some having rejected, concern-
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did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of ing the faith have suffered shipwreck, of
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our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I
and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a delivered to Satan that they may learn not to
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faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, blaspheme.
DAY 22:Who is Timothy?
Timothy received his name,which means “one who honors God,”from his mother (Eunice) and
grandmother (Lois), devout Jews who became believers in the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 1:5) and
taught Timothy the Old Testament Scriptures from his childhood (2 Tim. 3:15). His father was a
Greek (Acts 16:1) who may have died before Timothy met Paul.
Timothy was from Lystra (Acts 16:1–3),a city in the Roman province of Galatia (part of modern
Turkey).Paul led Timothy to Christ (1:2,18;1 Cor.4:17;2 Tim.1:2),undoubtedly during his ministry in
Lystra on his first missionary journey (Acts 14:6–23). When he revisited Lystra on his second mis-
sionary journey, Paul chose Timothy to accompany him (Acts 16:1–3). Although Timothy was very
young (probably in his late teens or early twenties, since about 15 years later Paul referred to him
as a young man; 4:12), he had a reputation for godliness (Acts 16:2).Timothy was to be Paul’s disci-
ple, friend, and colaborer for the rest of the apostle’s life,ministering with him in Berea (Acts 17:14),
Athens (Acts 17:15), Corinth (Acts 18:5; 2 Cor.1:19), and accompanying him on his trip to Jerusalem
(Acts 20:4). He was with Paul in his first Roman imprisonment and went to Philippi (2:19–23) after
Paul’s release.In addition,Paul frequently mentions Timothy in his epistles.Paul often sent Timothy
to churches as his representative (1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10; Phil. 2:19; 1 Thess. 3:2), and 1 Timothy finds him
on another assignment, serving as pastor of the church at Ephesus (1:3).

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