Chapter 1

1:4 - Paul advises us to ignore "fables and endless genealogies." If we follow his advice we would ignore most of the Bible -- especially the genealogies found in Gen.10, 1 Chr.1-9, Mt.1, and Lk.3.

* Paul isn't referring to the genealogies in Genesis, Chronicles, Matthew, or Luke.  These genealogies are necessary because they prove that Jesus Christ came from the prophesied lineage.  He was from the line of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, etc.

* Paul is addressing an issue of pride.  Some people were using their lineage to receive social status and importance.  Since Jesus Christ had already fulfilled the prophecies regarding His lineage, there was no reason to spend time worrying about genealogies.

1:9-10 - Homosexuals (those "that defile themselves with mankind") are included in Paul's list of lawless, disobedient, unholy, and profane people. So are "menstealers". Does this mean that God disapproves of slavery?

* This verse doesn't mention anything about slaves.  Nonetheless, the Bible never condones owning slaves.  It only gives laws to curtail it and eventually end it.  See 1 Corinthians 13 for God's will regarding the ethical treatment of other humans.

1:10 - Homosexuals (those "that defile themselves with mankind") are included in Paul's list of lawless, disobedient, unholy, and profane people.

* This is true and it correlates with other passages of scripture.  See Romans 1:26-28, Leviticus 18:22, etc.

1:17 - Paul says that God is invisible. But the Bible says that lots of folks have seen him. (Gen.18:1, 32:30; Ex.24:9-11, 33:11; Num.14:14; Dt.4:4, 34:10; 1 Kg.22:19; Job 42:5; Ps.63.2; Is.6:1, 5; Jn.14:9)

* Paul does say that God is invisible.  However, this correlates with many other passages of scripture.

* John also correctly states that no earthly person, on the Earth, has ever seen God the Father.  God has shown Himself to people in Heaven and to some people, on Earth, in the form of Jesus Christ.  See 1 John 4:12.

* Genesis 32:30 is when Jacob names a place "Peniel" because he wrestled with God ("face to face").  God is a Spirit.  He actually wrestled the second person in the trinity of God - Jesus Christ.

* In Exodus 24:10, the Hebrew word for God is "Elohim."  This is a plural form of God, indicating that the person of God wasn't necessarily seen.  Furthermore, God's feet were mentioned.  God is a Spirit and has no feet.  Consequently, this passage must refer to the person of Jesus Christ.

* Exodus 33:9 clearly states that God talked to Moses from a cloud.  Therefore, the expression "face to face," in Exodus 33:11, doesn't mean he talked to God's literal face.

* Number 14:14 reads, "And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land: for they have heard that thou LORD art among this people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and that thy cloud stands over them, and that you go before them, by day time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night."  This passage clearly states that God led the people by a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire.

* Deuteronomy 4:4 doesn't say anything about seeing God.

* Deuteronomy 34:10 is another passage like Exodus 33:11.  The clarifying passage is Exodus 33:9.  Incidentally, the English word in Deuteronomy 34:10 is "knew" (face to face) and not "saw."

* In 1 Kings 22:19, Micaiah is speaking figuratively.  This Hebrew word for "saw" is used in a parable as he describes a vision of God.

* The passage in Job 42:5 must be taken into context.  Job had suffered some tremendous losses and was wondering why these things were happening.  In the previous chapter, God told Job of His awesome power and glory.  In this verse, Job tells God that He understands and sees what God is saying.

* Job 42:5 can also be translated: "I have heard with my ears and now I see with my eyes." Job's eyes were open to God's sovereignty and power (not His physical being).

* David is talking about God's glory in Psalm 63:1-2.  David clearly states that He has seen God's power and glory in the sanctuary.

* Psalm 63:1 and 2 reads, "O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.  I see your power and your glory, as I've seen in the sanctuary."  This isn't talking about David literally seeing God as one person sees another person.

* Isaiah 6:1 tells us that Isaiah was ushered into Heaven, where the "Lord" was seated on the throne.  Isaiah 6:5 reveals Isaiah's concern about seeing the king and the remedy for this situation.  Note that this interaction was a supernatural one and in Heaven.  Therefore, since Isaiah was cleansed and in Heaven, the Lord allowed him to approach Him - only with cleansed lips.

* John 14:9 reads, "Jesus said to him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how can you say, Show us the Father?"  Jesus is God, but He is not God the Father.  Jesus is clearly saying that a person who has seen Jesus has seen God.  He is referring to God's glory and power, not God's literal being or person.  Jesus was literally a different person than God.  Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit are one in character, but different in function and different "people."

1:20 - Paul delivered Hymenaeus and Alexander unto Satan so "that they might learn not to blaspheme."

* This passage is better understood with verses 18 and 19.  1 Timothy 1:18-20 reads, "This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them might wage a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme."  Hymenaeus and Alexander are two people that "put away" or rejected Christ.

* In this passage, the Greek word for "delivered" is better translated "surrendered" or "yielded."  Paul is simply stating that he let go of these two because they rejected Christ.

Chapter 2

2:4 - Proverbs (16:4) says that God made wicked people so that he could torment them, but this verse claims that God wants everyone to be saved.

* 1 Peter 2:4 correlates with other passages of scripture.  See Matthew 18:14, John 3:16, etc.

* Proverbs 16:4 reveals how God has made all people for Himself.  It also tells us that the wicked people will face the day of doom.  This verse does not say that God enjoys punishing people.

* The "days of evil" and Proverb 16:14 mention nothing about torment or God's desire to torment the wicked.

2:5 - In this verse, Paul says that Jesus was only a man. But Jn.1:1, 14 and Col.2:8-9 claim he was God.

* Jesus came to Earth in the form of a man.  Therefore, He is both God and man.  This correlates with many other scriptures.  See Romans 5:15, John 1:1 and 14, Colossians 2:8 and 9, etc.

2:6 - Was Jesus a ransom for many or for all? For all.

* This verse says Jesus gave His life as a ransom for all; not many (as it says in Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45).  However, the Greek word that is translated into the English word "ransom" is different, so that's why we see an alleged error.

* In Mark 10:45 and Matthew 20:28, the simple Greek word "lutron" is translated "ransom."  It means to "loosen" or a "redemption price" (figuratively ransom).  In 1 Timothy 2:6, the compound Greek word "antilutron" is used.  It refers to substitution and a "redemption price."  Therefore, Jesus gave His life as a ransom for many and a substitutionary, redemptive price for all.

2:8 - Paul wants people to pray everywhere; Jesus (Mt.6:5-6) condemns those who pray in public, saying they should pray in the closet instead.

* Yes, Paul exhorts Christians to pray everywhere.

* Matthew 6:5 and 6 read, "And when you pray, you should not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."  

* In Matthew 6:5 and 6, Jesus is addressing the issue of pride and the desire to draw attention to one's self.  He is taking a specific situation (the hypocrites and their evil desire to have people hold them in high esteem) and teaching people that it is better for them to pray in secret.

* Jesus never forbids every person to pray publicly.  In fact, Jesus engaged in both public and private prayer.

2:9 - Women are to dress modestly, "with shamefacedness" -- "not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array."

* This Greek word that was translated as "shamefacedness" is better translated "bashfulness, in reverence to God, modesty," etc.

* Paul is stressing the point that women need to be more concerned with the godly qualities inside of them than their outward appearance.  Some women were distracting people with the way they were dressing and Paul was exhorting them to focus on God.

2:11-12 - Paul forbids women to teach or "to usurp authority over" men. Rather they are to "learn [from men] in silence with all subjection [to men]."

* 1 Timothy 2:11 and 12 read, "Let the women learn in silence with all subjection.  But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence."

* Can anyone learn when they're not in silence?  This is good advice for anyone.

* Paul is addressing this letter to Timothy and the people in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3).  There was a problem, in this church, with women disrespecting men, disrupting the teaching of the Bible, and teaching false things.  Therefore, Paul gives them some specific commands that will solve these problems.

2:14-15 - Men are superior to women in Paul's eyes, since Adam was made before, and sinned after, Eve. But even though women are inferior to men, Paul says they shouldn't be discouraged because they shall "be saved in childbearing."

* Paul never says that men are superior to women.  However, he does address how Eve was deceived in the Garden of Eden.

* This Greek word for "saved" is better translated "protected."  She will be "protected in childbearing."

2:14-15 - What must you do to be saved? Have lots of babies.

* This verse is talking about her earthly life being saved; not her soul.

Chapter 3

3:2 - "A bishop must be ... the husband of one wife." Apparently, it's OK for laymen to have several.

* This passage of scripture refers to the qualifications of a bishop.  "The husband of one wife" can refer to divorce and remarriage and it can also refer to polygamy.

* Laymen are not mentioned and they are never encouraged to divorce or have multiple wives.

Chapter 4

4:1-4 - "In the latter times some shall depart from the faith" by becoming vegetarians.

* 1 Timothy 4:1-4 reads, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving."  Paul warns of people "commanding (others) to abstain from meats;" not people voluntarily choosing to become vegetarians.

4:7 - Paul says to "refuse ... old wives' fables." What about old husbands' fables? Old Bible fables?

* There is no contradiction here.

4:8 - Paul, who was something of a couch potato, thought that "bodily exercise profiteth little."

* 1 Timothy 4:8 reads, "For bodily exercise profits little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."  Paul is contrasting the importance of physical health and spiritual health.  Once again, he is emphasizing the importance of cultivating the godly qualities of the inner self.  Note that Paul doesn't discourage bodily exercise or health, he simply regards these pursuits less profitable than godliness.

Chapter 5

5:5-6 - Real widows are "desolate" and pray "night and day." But those widows that experience pleasure are "dead while [they] live."

* 1 Timothy 5:5 and 6 read, "Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusts in God, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.  But she that lives in pleasure is dead while she lives."  The English phrase "lives in pleasure" is better translated from the Greek as follows: "lives in sensual mischief."

* Paul is making the statement that a widow can be satisfied by loving and trusting God.  However, if a widow decides to live in sensual mischief, she will be following a path to death instead of life.

5:8 - Jesus (Mt.5:31, 34) said that we should not concern ourselves with material things, but in this verse Paul says that anyone who behaves in this way has "denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."

* 1 Timothy 5:8 reads, "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."  Matthew 5:31 and 34 read, "It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement.  But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne."  The verses in Matthew clearly have nothing to do with material wealth.

* This passage in Timothy correlates with other passages of scripture that exhort people to work and provide for themselves and their family.  See 2 Thessalonians 3:10.

5:9-15 - You should help a widow only if she : 1) is over 70 years old, 2) had only one husband, 3) has raised children, 4) has lodged strangers, 5) has "washed the saints feet," 6) has relieved the afflicted, and 7) has "diligently followed very good work." Otherwise, let them starve. "But the younger widows refuse [to help]: for ... they will marry; having damnation." Besides the young widows are always idle tattlers -- "busybodies, spreading things which they ought not." He adds that "some are already turned aside after Satan."

* First, this passage never uses the word seventy.  The word is "three score;" which equals sixty.

* Paul is contrasting the godly widows with the ungodly widows.  He gives examples of each kind.

* Paul is also warning against the sinful widows that are living in sensual mischief.  In verse 16, he encourages the friends and family of habitually sinful widows to help them, so the church can use its resources on the godly widows.

5:20 - Publicly humiliate those who sin by announcing their sins in front of God and everybody so "that others may also fear."

* According to verse 19, verse 20 is referring to a church elder.  When a church elder abuses his authority and sins against the congregation, he should be rebuked in front of the congregation.

5:23 - Paul advises us to stop drinking water. Rather, he says that we should drink wine for our "stomach's" sakes. But in other verses the Bible condemns drinking alcohol.

* 1 Timothy 5:23 reads, "No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities."  Paul never tells anyone to quit drinking water, altogether.

* Paul suggests that a "little wine" be used to treat illnesses.  This doesn't contradict any other scriptures.

Chapter 6

6:1 - Paul sees nothing wrong with slavery and admonishes slaves to "count their own masters worthy of all honor." But Jesus disagreed, saying one should serve only God (Mt.4:10, 23:10).

* The word "slave" is never used in this passage.  The word is "servant."

* Paul simply encourages servants to obey their masters, so God would be glorified.  In verse 2, Paul tells believing masters to love their servants and treat them right.

6:5 - Paul advises his followers to stay away from those who discuss important matters -- especially if they disagree with him.

* 1 Timothy 6:5 is better understood by reading verses 3-6.  1 Timothy 6:3-6 reads, "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.  But godliness with contentment is great gain."

* Paul never advises "his followers" to stay away from people who discuss important matters.  Conversely, Paul is warning God's people to avoid: 1) the ones who reject Jesus Christ and the doctrine of salvation, 2) people who are ungodly, and 3) people who are corrupt and evil.

6:7 - "We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out."

* This is true of material things.

6:10 - Paul says that the love of money is the source of all evil. But Ecclesiastes (10:19) says money is the answer to all of life's problems.

* The entire book of Ecclesiastes is a record of one man's (likely Solomon's) pursuits of happiness and success while rejecting God.  Therefore, random passages from Ecclesiastes should not be used to create doctrines.

6:14 - Paul expected Jesus to return within the lifetime of his contemporaries.

* This passage is written to Timothy and his congregation, but it is also written to future believers.  

* No specific timetable is given for Jesus' return.  Paul knows that Jesus will return at an unknown hour.  See Matthew 24:36, Revelation 3:3, etc.

6:16 - According to this verse, God dwells in light. But elsewhere the Bible says God dwells in darkness.

* This passage tells us that God dwells in light.  However, we also know that God is omnipresent.  Therefore, we can conclude that He dwells everywhere.  This verse doesn't say or imply that God only dwells in light.

6:16 - Paul says "no man hath seen, nor can see" God. But other passages in the Bible claim that many have seen God (Gen.18:1, 32:30; Ex.24:9-11, 33:11; Num.14:14; Dt.4:4, 34:10; 1 Kg.22:19; Job 42:5; Ps.63.2; Is.6:1, 5; Jn.14:9).

* Nobody has literally seen God.  See above and "Special Questions" for more on this.

6:20 - Paul instructs Timothy to avoid science, especially that which disagrees with him ("science falsely so called"). Other versions translate this phrase as "false knowledge", which may be more correct. However many fundamentalist Christians still use this verse ("science falsely so called") to justify their rejection of any idea, scientific or otherwise, they believe contradicts the bible.

* 1 Timothy 6:20 reads, "O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge (and science)."  This passage is simply warning Timothy to adhere to the truths of God and trust them before anything that comes from the mouths of humans.

* The Bible has told us many things that modern science didn't discover until much later.  These things include atoms (Hebrews 11:3), the Earth's rotation (Genesis 1:4 and 5), the benefit of water freezing from the top to the bottom instead of the bottom to the top (Job 38:30), the Law of Entropy (Ecclesiastes 1:4), the 1st Law of Thermodynamics (John 1:3), the Earth is round (Isaiah 40:22), etc.