1 Timothy 2-4

"^2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4 KJV) refers to how everyone, sooner or later (see When Will You Be Judged?), will become able to "see" the Truth (see When Their Eyes Were Opened) and then be able to make a clear choice about life or Damnation for themselves. Salvation is a choice that is freely made available to everyone: "^3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. ^3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ^3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. ^3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:26-29 KJV).

"^2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; ^2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. ^2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; ^2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. ^2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus [see What Is Jesus Christ Doing Right Now?]; ^2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. ^2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not; a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

^2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

^2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; ^2:10 But which becometh women professing godliness, with good works [see Growing In The Grace And Knowledge]. ^2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

^2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. ^2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. ^2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression [see Why Eve?]. ^2:15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety." (1 Timothy 2:1-15 KJV)

1 Timothy Chapter 3

As the church grew, various areas of responsibility were given to people of the Church, not as a ranking system, but as areas of service by which Christians Minister (minister means nothing more than to serve) to their fellow Christians. Christ made that very plain: "^20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. ^20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; ^20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: ^20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:25-28 KJV).

Those who one day found themselves to be "leaders" of the Church did so by leading, by good example and service, that others freely chose to follow because it was those who followed that benefited, not the other way around. By definition, a true leader doesn't force anyone to do anything because he is there to do nothing more than to serve.

"^3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. ^3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; ^3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; ^3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; ^3:5 For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the Church of God? ^3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. ^3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

^3:8 Likewise must the deacons [see Deacon and Deaconess] be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; ^3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. ^3:10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

^3:11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

^3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. ^3:13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

^3:14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: ^3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God [see also Houses Of The Holy], which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. ^3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (1 Timothy 3:1-16 KJV)

1 Timothy Chapter 4

Much of Paul's Epistles addressed circumstances that the Church has dealt with for the centuries ever since, which will reach their peak in the time just prior to Christ's return: "^4:1 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" (1 Timothy 4:1 KJV).

"^4:1 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; ^4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their Conscience seared with a hot iron; ^4:3 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. ^4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: ^4:5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

^4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. ^4:7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. ^4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

^4:9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. ^4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we Trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

^4:11 These things command and teach. ^4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. ^4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. ^4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by Prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

^4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. ^4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." (1 Timothy 4:1-16 KJV)

Fact Finder: Is there any difference between "ghost" and "spirit" in the Bible?
See Ghost and Spirit: What's The Difference?