Tag: faith

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1 Timothy 3:9 – The Eyes of Faith

Closeup of a man's eyes. (Grok)

They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 

Summary: Paul’s reference to the “deep truths of the faith” and a “clear conscience” point to things that only the eyes of faith can see. 

When we read Paul’s words, we are always looking through the lens of the translators who make it possible for us to read the Bible in English. Translating from Greek is not an easy task, and translators sometimes have to make hard choices when selecting their words. 

In this case, the NIV translates “mystērion”* as “deep truths.” Most translations, about three-quarters of them, use the word “mystery” instead.

Why?

What is the difference between a “deep truth” and a “mystery”? 

The problem with the word “mystery” is that it carries the connotation of something secret. Secrets are often associated with the dark arts or with heresies. The Christian faith has no “secrets” in the sense of hiding anything. 

The problem is that some people are blind to the truth of Jesus Christ. When that happens, it feels like the Gospel Christians talk about is a “mystery.” The Bible describes this effect as the “stumbling stone” (Romans 9:33). 

The Bible divides humanity into those who recognize the “rock” and those who don’t. Those who recognize the rock build on it (Matthew 7:24-25). Those who don’t acknowledge the rock stumble and are judged by it (Matthew 21:44). 

To the world, this looks like a “mystery.” Through the eyes of faith, the truth seems plain as day. Two different points of view — two completely different results. 

Why does Paul add the part about the “clear conscience”?

The “mystery” of faith is that while we live in the world, our hearts belong to God. The “deep truth” Paul refers to is that God appeared in the flesh, is preached among the nations, is believed on, and was taken up in glory (1 Timothy 3:16). 

The temptation we face is the desire to keep one foot in the world while we keep the other foot in heaven. Ananias and Sapphira tried this, and it didn’t go well with them (Acts 5:1-11). Temptation is real. Paul knows this and wants deacons to be aware of the responsibility they carry. 

Application: Keep both feet firmly planted in faith.  

Food for Thought: How hard is it to keep hold of the deep truths of the faith? 

*”G3466 – mystērion – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NIV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 21 Apr, 2026. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3466/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.

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1 Timothy 2:15 – Living by Faith

Portrait of a family (Pixabay - courtesy of Alisa Dyson Family)

But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

Summary: Paul’s words can feel challenging, yet if we look at them in the fullness of his meaning, we discover a message that is both egalitarian and demanding. 

Paul’s view of men and women is interesting.

Earlier in verse eight, Paul says he wants men to pray, lift up holy hands, and do this without anger or disputing. Prayer requires a man to rely on God instead of themselves. Lifting up “holy hands” means our hands are clean — we haven’t been doing something we shouldn’t. Doing anything without anger and disputing can be challenging. But Paul is not finished yet. He goes on by telling women how he wants them to address their challenges, and then he says this:

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1 Timothy 1:19a – Trusting God (Part II)

Jesus on the beach. — (Grok)

… holding on to faith …

Summary: The story of Peter walking on water takes on a whole new meaning as we step back and take a look at the bigger narrative in the Gospel accounts.   

Looking back on our last meditation, “Trusting God (Part I),” there are a few unanswered questions that it might be helpful to consider. For example:

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1 Timothy 1:19a – Trusting God (Part I)

Hands hanging from a rope that is in the shape of a cross (Grok)

… holding on to faith …

Summary: Learning to have faith is all about learning to trust our Father in heaven.   

When it comes to “holding on to faith,” it helps to understand what “faith” is and who we are to have faith in. 

The Bible uses the word “faith” to describe part of the relationship between God and us. The word “faith” simply means to have trust in someone or something. If we substitute the word “trust” for “faith” when we read the Bible, it often helps clarify our understanding of the text. 

For example, when Jesus and his disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee in a boat, they were engulfed in a storm while Jesus slept in the back of the boat (Matthew 8:23-27). As the storm raged, the disciples started to panic. 

It says something about the storm that Peter, James, Andrew, and John, who were all seasoned fishermen, were afraid of drowning. It must have been a doozy! It also says something that Jesus was sleeping through the storm. He must have been tired. He also had faith in his Father. 

When the disciples woke him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Jesus responds with “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” In other words, Jesus asks them, “Where is your trust?” 

Another time, the disciples are in a boat, and Jesus walks to them on the water (Matthew 14:22-36). Peter, terrified, yells to Jesus, “Lord, if it’s you … tell me to come to you on the water.” I’ll never understand Peter’s logic at this point, but Jesus replies, “Come.” 

Peter, no doubt to his great surprise, finds that the water supports his weight. He takes one step and then another. He is walking toward Jesus! Then, the sound of the water, the crashing of the waves, and maybe even the gasps of the other disciples behind him cause him to realize what he has done and where he is. His faith begins to falter, and with it his trust in Jesus. He begins to sink. When he cries out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus reaches out and catches him. 

Let’s pause here for a moment and consider what we are seeing. Jesus is standing on the water. Peter has almost reached Jesus, but he has faltered. Peter begins to sink, and he cries out to Jesus. Jesus reaches out and grasps Peter’s hand. 

At this point, Peter is literally holding on to faith. He trusts Jesus. Jesus trusts the Father. 

Jesus didn’t walk on water because he wanted to. He did it because his Father wanted him to (John 5:19, 30). Jesus wasn’t in the boat during the storm because that is where he wanted to be; it was because his Father wanted him to be there. 

Jesus was able to sleep on the boat because he trusted his Father. He had faith in God, which is what he wants you and me to have, too. 

Application: Love God above all else and trust him.  

Food for Thought: What is the point of Jesus’ miracles, like walking on water or calming the storm? 

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1 Timothy 1:11a – Good News!

Picture (painting) of Jesus being followed by a sheep. (Pixabay)

[…the sound doctrine] that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God…

Summary: Paul’s definition of sound doctrine depends on an understanding of the Gospel.   

Paul began this passage talking about using the law “properly” (1 Timothy 1:8). This inspired a frenzy of meditations dealing with judging, law, covenants, and Paul’s examples of what the law is used for. 

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1 Timothy 1:5d – The Headwaters of Love

Picture of three separate water streams forming one stream (Grok)

[The goal of this command is love, which comes from]… a sincere faith. 

Summary: Wrapping up our discussion of Paul’s three reasons for his “command,” we come to the question of faith. What is it and why is it important?  

Writing to Timothy about the need to “command” misguided believers in Jesus not to do certain things,* he says the goal is love (agapē). He then explains that there are three sources, three artesian springs if you will, where the headwaters of love spring from. The three sources are: 

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1 Timothy 1:4b – God’s Work

Picture: Diagnostic MRI machine (Pixabay)

Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—

Summary: Understanding Paul’s intent in this passage provides us with a valuable opportunity to reflect on what God wants us to do with our lives.   

If we are correct in our analysis so far, Paul has instructed Timothy to command “certain people” who claim to be followers of Christ* to stop promoting “controversial speculations.” 

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