A Torah Verse By Verse Commentary Of Paul's Epistles by Re'tzon Ha'El - HTML preview

Chapter 6

V1 Doulos is better translated slaves. Zugos/yoke pertains to that of bondage in slavery. The first century saints recognised slavery as part of society, and would have had Christian slaves within the congregations. Whether or not their masters were Christian or pagan, they were exhorted to show reverence, and not behave in an untoward manner that could possibly jeopardise the body of Messiah as a whole. By so doing the Name of YHVH would not risk being blasphemed through a slave’s breaking of the teachings of Elohim.

Rebellion against their masters would deny their masters the opportunity of seeing the good Christian conduct of their slaves, which could possibly lead to their souls being won. YHVH’s Name is blasphemed indirectly by believers who deny others an opportunity to gain entry into the Kingdom of Heaven, through terrible representation of the faith, which may dissuade their souls from being won cf Rom 2:23-24. There is currently a massive conscription of souls into Islam especially in former Christian nations, due to the lukewarm churches, which accept sin in the church such as homosexuality, abortion and transgenderism, having made Christianity appear so despicable and undesirable, to the point of potential souls for Yeshua being lost to false, pagan religions.

V2 As for slaves of Christian masters, they were exhorted not to disesteem them, mostly because they were fellow members of the body of Messiah. Rather they were to carry out their duties obediently. Although in the body of Messiah, Elohim is no respecter of persons, this does not mean that insubordination may prevail in the worldly ranks of human society. The believing master, being also part of the body of Messiah, is also a beneficiary of the promise of eternal life, provided he ran his course as well as expected of every other member in the congregation cf Gal 3:28-29; I Pet 2:17-20.

V3 Paul was given direct revelation by Yeshua Himself cf 2 Cor 12:1-6. The teachings that he was sharing with Timothy for dissemination to the ecclesia, were hence divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit and are doctrinally sound. Besides, Yeshua had indirectly taught the same principles cf Matt 5:5,43-44; 22:21; Lk 9:23.

V4-5 There are many contentious Christians who harp on about doctrines that they do not understand, and frustrate the progressive dissemination of gospel truth to the masses, by pointless debates, and wrangling about empty and trifling matters. This culminates in jealousy, contention, slander and evil suspicions cf 2 Tim 2:23; Jude 1:16.  Such meddlesome individuals have decayed minds, deprived of truth whose goal is monetary gain. This is truly descriptive of the vultures masquerading as men of the cloth, who twist every scripture in their reach to preach money out of their followers. We are to dissociate ourselves from such agents of the devil.

V6 Piety towards Elohim from a heart that desires not the vain, fleeting riches of this world is the great acquisition we must aspire for, as truly holy saints cf Heb 13:5; Pro 16:8.

V7 This plain verse needs no commentary cf Job 1:21; Ecc 5:15-16.

V8 -9 Desiring anything above food and clothing, attracts temptation from the kingdom of Satan. Worldly riches and the desire for such gain, are the devil’s playing ground. Many preachers, who appeared to commence their ministries with genuinely righteous intentions, have time and time again fallen for the destructive snare of earthly gain. Matt 6:25-33. So many Christians pray the Lord’s prayer saying ‘lead us not into temptation’, yet in the same vein pray for riches and worldly gain, which leads directly into temptation. Jm 1:8 is sadly descriptive of many. So injurious are the longings for wealth that it sinks one into olethros/destruction of the flesh and apoleia/perdition, destruction of the soul in eternal misery in hell.

V10 philarguria/love of money, avarice is indeed the root of all evil, as temptation stems from this fetid love. Once tempted one then wrestles between choosing good and evil, the lusts of the flesh unfortunately usually triumphing. The subsequent sin leads to death cf Jm 1:14-15. Coveting money takes up so much of our valuable time which should be spent on focusing on Messiah and things of the heavenly kingdom. This destructive preoccupation, causes one to stray from the faith, and is rightly compared with piercing oneself with many sorrows. The demon god mammon competes with YHVH for worship in this respect, and much to the detriment of the hope of salvation for many, this is lost when mamon is chosen over YHVH cf Ps 16:4; Matt 6:24.

V11 As saints faithful to the gospel, we should flee from any form of desire for riches, and focus more on the spiritual battle at hand which, for one to emerge victorious, requires:

a. Dikaiosune-righteousness, purity which can only be achieved by observing the Torah of Elohim through faith cf Rom 10:4-5.

b. Eusebeia-piety and reverence towards Elohim, again exhibited by observing Torah cf Jn 14:15;15:10.

c. Faith-which leads to justification. Faith without good works i.e. Torah observance is dead Jm 2:11,20,22,24.

d. Agape-brotherly love in a social or moral sense.

e. Patience -which worketh experience against enmity, leading to spiritual growth and greater strength against Satan’s kingdom cf Rom 5:4.

f. meekness-Elohim saves the meek cf Ps 76:9; 149:4. Pride leads to alienation from Elohim.

V12 Our Christian walk is a battle which is wholly dependent on faith in Yeshua as our Saviour. Without faith as a point of entry, the battle is lost from the outset. This faith leads unto justification, giving us the provision to be redeemed of our sins. Only in such a condition are we then conscripted into the army of Elohim to face the spiritual beasts of Satan. This vicious battle against an invisible enemy determines whether or not one may attain eternal life, which is offered to all contenders. Only those who confess that Yeshua is Lord and fight in faith in Him to the bitter end, may attain eternal life. Homologeo translated profess, is better rendered confess. Note that it is necessary to make a public confession that Yeshua is Lord for one to attain salvation promised at the end cf Rom 10:9-10.

V13-14 martureo translated witnessed is better rendered testified for this verse to be placed in the right context. Yeshua testified before Pilate that He is the Messiah cf Lk 23:2-3; Jn 18:33,37. Timothy was charged to also keep this confession he had made and to keep the commandments given him. This he was to do without blemish, without cause for reproach, until Yeshua’s return. Every generation has pretty much believed that they are living in the end times. From the first century Christians till now, an imminent return of Messiah has been anticipated. It is wise to live in great expectation of His return, as we are told that He shall return as a thief in the night cf Matt 24:42-44.

V15 Paul undoubtedly was given similar revelation to that of John cf Rev 19:11-16. 

V16 Athanasia is the Greek word for immortality. What does this immortality refer to?  This Greek word is only also found in 1 Cor 15:53,54. Hence although at death the soul does not die, and the spirit returns to Elohim cf Ecc 12:7, because the souls of those currently dead are without incorruptible bodies, Yeshua is the only man at present who has Spirit, soul and incorruptible body, which defines immortality. One may ask, ‘what of Enoch and Elijah?’ It must be remembered that they were translated to heaven in corrupted bodies, bearing the DNA of Adam. They too must undergo the transformation that every other righteous man, dead or alive, shall experience at Yeshua’s second advent. Hence Paul was not mistaken in declaring that at present, Yeshua is the only man who hath immortality. It is for this reason that He dwells in the light of Elohim the Father, to whom no man in a corruptible body may draw near lest they die cf Ex 33:20; Jn 1:18.

V17 Earthly riches are but dung in comparison to those heavenly. Riches breed a sense of pride, which is the beginning of every created being’s downfall, Satan being the precursor of such sin. It is foolish for one to depend on earthly riches, which cannot be taken into the afterlife cf Matt 6:19-21; Pro 11:28. Instead of preaching earthly riches in the pulpit, pastors and preachers are supposed to be teaching the complete opposite i.e. piety, giving to the poor, and gathering riches in heaven cf Rev 3:14-18. This describes the greater majority of Christendom in our day.

V18 If the rich were to follow Torah, which is the definition of doing good works, they would know to be eumetadotos/good at imparting, being liberal, and be koinonikos/share in their possessions cf Duet 15:7-11; Isa 58:5-8; Pro 11:24-25.

V19 Paul has repeated several times the need to hold onto eternal life. It is imperative that we understand that eternal life is not guaranteed to the believer. One must fight that good fight to the end. It is more difficult for the rich person to hold on, as money being the root of all evil, allows satanic forces to use the pursuit of riches to tempt the conscience of the soul into making bad choices, to please the lusts of the flesh. By so doing, sin buds and ultimately leads to death, which in essence means loss of that eternal life promised to those who are able to overcome to their dying day cf Mk 10:24-25.

V20 Paul entreaties Timothy to keep parakatatheke/a trust or thing consigned to one's faithful keeping, used of the correct knowledge and pure doctrine of the gospel, to be held firmly and faithfully, and to be conscientiously delivered unto others. He was equally advised to shun unhallowed, empty useless discussions and oppositions of gnosis/knowledge especially of things lawful and unlawful to Christians. This is the only place in the Bible where the word science is used, yet in another 28 cases in the New Testament it is rendered knowledge pertaining to Torah. There is a deluge of false knowledge which, since the so-called enlightenment, championed by Voltaire in the 18th century and beyond, has corrupted the true knowledge of Elohim. There are indeed innumerable branches of false sciences in our midst, which have led billions down a path of destruction. Evolution, psychology, the big bang theory, new ageism, theosophy, kabbalah and Christian Science are but a few of the myriad of false sciences concocted in the very pit of hell.

V21 Many a professing Christian through belief in these false forms of knowledge, all gnostic and diabolical in nature, have strayed from truth, and greatly jeopardised their hope of eternal life, of which Paul so desperately reiterated we cling onto till the end. In closing Paul closes off by wishing grace upon Timothy, which is his classic way of ending his epistles. Amen