The Faith—And Its Perversion
THE FAITH—AND ITS PERVERSION
1 TIMOTHY 3:14–4:5
Having written about the outward qualities of godliness, Paul turns to a hymn describing the mystery of godliness.
At the end of chapter 3 we have a poetic expression which may well have formed part of a Christian hymn. The arrangement in modern Bibles brings out the rhythmical structure, though it could be three couplets or simply six lines. “He” (3:16) at the beginning is properly “who” or “He who” (see ESV margin; some manuscripts read “God” but “He who” seems correct). This is not explained but there is no doubt but that Jesus Christ is meant. The hymn then refers to his incarnation, then apparently to his resurrection. It was this that the Spirit used to bring about his vindication (see Romans 1:4). “Seen by angels” may refer to the same thing, for angels saw him at the resurrection. But it may well be the ascension that is primarily in mind at this point. There is uncertainty about the last line. This may be another reference to the ascension, but it makes good sense to see it as used prophetically of the final triumph. Then the six lines of the hymn would represent six stages arranged chronologically. This is a magnificent statement of the sweep of Christ’s saving work.
But some are not content with it, and Paul moves immediately to those who “will depart from the faith” (4:1). That the Spirit “expressly says” this indicates that what is to take place is not beyond God’s control. He is supreme despite human raging and a preference for “deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons” (4:1). The heretics in mind are wrong in three ways:
In the ancient world as in the modern, people sometimes advocated celibacy for religious reasons. Some also drew up curious food laws. Paul insists that both are completely wrong, for nothing that God has created is to be rejected if it is received in the proper way (4:4f.).
Notes 3:15: note the dignity of the church and its place in God’s scheme of things. 3:16: “mystery” again, the essence of “our religion” is not of human origin but has been revealed by God. 4:4f.: control of diet for proper reasons is not in question. Paul is opposing the setting up of food laws for religious reasons. Christians know no such taboos. 4:3: Paul is not saying that no one is called to serve God in the unmarried state (see also 1 Corinthians 7:7), but that celibacy is not in principle to be exalted above marriage.