my two cents:
The book of 1 Timothy was written in Macedonia after Paul was imprisoned for 2 years in Rome (Acts 28:30). After his release, he went to the church in Ephesus and then journeying onto Macedonia. Paul left Timothy at Ephesus hoping to return later himself. However, Paul was delayed in Macedonia and could not return quickly to Ephesus. At that time Ephesus was a centre of Paganism and the work of pastoring the church in Ephesus was a challenge itself (Acts 19-20). Thus Paul wrote 1 Timothy to direct and encourage Timothy's work in Ephesus Church, and to instruct him on how to face these problems in the church (1 Tim 3:14-15).
Paul encourages Timothy hoping that he would understand the importance of evangelism that has to be motivated by the love of Christ - in his sincere love expressed through a letter (1:1-2). Paul taught Timothy the skill in pastoring the church by exhorting the believers to shun away from vain teachings, warning him against the false teachings. Paul also encourages that in the face of heresy, love is the greatest weapon for fighting the good fight. The objective of pastoring should comes from a pure heart, good conscience and sincere faith, establishing a church of love (1:3-11).
As I was reading and reflecting on how we can improve on our daily conversation with each other talking more about the greatness of the Lord and His grace in our lives of what He has done for us, staying away from the vain and meaningless talks mentioned in (1:4,6). The reason for us to talk more about the words of God is to edify one another as well as guide against false teachings from within (Acts 20:27-30), just like Aquila and Priscilla when knowing the Word that has not been spoken accurately would encourage and explain to each other more adequately the words of God (Acts 18:26). Hence, the more we share about the words of God and correcting each other more accurately, the more well versed we are in the words of God and not be lead astray by confusions or false teachings. :))
To obtain and achieve the perfect standard of God in our speech really needs a lot of spiritual cultivation and reading of the bible to cleanse our hearts and season our speech. This blog is infact a good start in practicing on talking about the work and words of God. :D
Paul also mentioned his motivation of love to the church comes from the strength of the Lord. Despite Paul was once a sinner but God's mercy and grace was poured on him that Christ might display his unlimited patience for those who believe on him and receiving this eternal life. We are the same today, as we were once a sinner, Jesus saves us because of His great grace and mercy, and now having received this grace, we should preach the gospel - freely we received freely we give, nevertheless we should improve on showing mercy and grace to the people around us and in the church because God desires mercy and compassions. God has given us faith and love that we may become a willing example before men, for the glory of God (1:12-17).
Paul final encouragement in this chapter is that we have to put love into practice, loving one another is the goal of mutual care in the church. Having love is to have a pure heart, blameless conscience and sincere faith (1:5) steadfast in our faith in fulfilling the commandment. Shipwrecking of faith would result in rejecting conscience and becoming captives of Satan.
May we strive together in the perfection required by our Lord. Gambatte ne!!
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