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

Introduction

In this very personal epistle to his son in Messiah, Paul entreaties Timothy to oversee the congregation of saints in Ephesus. There had been, as in most other fellowships, a great deal of false teachers peddling a corrupted gospel. In the Ephesian ecclesia these appeared to be Judaizers who were fixated on cementing their warped beliefs within the congregation. Timothy was instructed to stem this rot, which was causing many to stray from the faith, and rather preach the true time-tested gospel of Torah in love, of which is its fulfilment. Paul elucidates the purpose of Torah, and we shall see that he did not, as is dreadfully interpreted, confirm nor even allude to its abolition.

If anything, he stresses its importance in society. This we shall carefully study, to exterminate all vestiges of ill-perceived ambiguity. Paul gives hope to the most terrible of sinners, expressing to what great lengths Yeshua will go to, to win a lost soul. He uses his decrepit former life as an example of what great mercy YHVH Elohim, the Father will have on a soul that is willing to repent. He contrasts this with those who having been redeemed of their sins, turn back to sin, and are deserving of damnation, examples of such former saints of which he gives.

Paul expresses the need for all mankind to be prayed for, be they potentates or not, as this works to the advantage of the saints, of which shall be discussed. Additionally, guidelines are given for men and women on the manner in which to pray, in a bid to render our prayers acceptable to Elohim. The place of women in the church is touched upon, and a detailed outline of the prerequisites of the presbytery and deacons is presented. I shall give a thorough study on the organisational structure of the ecclesia, as a preamble to a commentary on chapter 3.

Furthermore, Timothy is warned to expect the emergence of apostasy and doctrines of demons within the ecclesia, for which he must be spiritually prepared to tackle head on. I shall very carefully dispel the falsehood that chapter 4 is proof of unclean meat of Torah being no longer prohibited, which again is dangerously used by detractors of Torah to promote their deception. We shall see how contradictory such a stance is, as Paul in the same chapter is promoting observance of Torah! Timothy is encouraged through practising such observance, to prove himself worthy in the congregation, lest his youth be frowned upon.

Respect for the various classes in society is admonished, that for widows being expressly majored upon. The role of elderly widows in the ecclesia is further articulated, advice for younger widows being given. Respect for elders and their worth is investigated, coupled with the correct manner in which to deal with rogue members within the congregation. The issue of how believing slaves are to conduct themselves in piety is addressed in the closing chapter, a sector of society which unfortunately was mainstream within the community in that epoch. Paul returns to the issue of delusion within the congregation, and the need to shun those who through pride, cause much destruction to the assembly by their incessant need to question truth. Lastly a stark warning is given to those who seek worldly gain, the dangers of pursuit of money to one’s eternal salvation being thoroughly laid out. We shall instead be taught of that which should be pursued in life, if the hope for eternal life is not to be cast away.