Exposition of The Spirit in 1 & 2 Timothy

1 Timothy 3:16

"...He who was revealed in the flesh,
Was vindicated in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Proclaimed among the nations,
Believed on in the world,
Taken up in glory." (NASB)

"He" (RSV, NEB, NEST, DIAG). There is no real justification for "God" as in the AV.

"...vindicated by the Spirit..." (NET)

Because of his Godliness, Christ, "the last Adam, became a life-giving Spirit" being. His claim to be the Son of God was vindicated by his resurrection from the dead. (cf. Romans 1:4).

"...preached unto the Gentiles..." (KJV)

See my comments at 1 Peter. 3:18.

Several translations have "Gentiles" instead of "nations". (BRG, DRA EXB, JUB, KJ21, KJV, NET, NKJV and several others). The OLB says "Paul uses the term for Gentile Christians".

1 Timothy 4:1

"But the Spirit..."

This is a figure called 'metonymy of the adjunct' where Spirit is put for God. Probably the message which follows, came to Paul through the gift of prophecy which he had.

"deceitful spirits" "seducing" AV

These were men not only falsely claiming to have the Holy Spirit but also using that claim to lead the ecclesias astray.

1 Timothy 4:12

"Be thou an example... in spirit"

"In spirit" is not in the Greek text of Nestle and should be omitted.

2 Timothy 1:14

That good thing which was committed unto thee guard through the Holy Spirit which dwelleth in us" (RV)

The Holy Spirit here was one of the gifts (1 Cor. 12:8-10) which Timothy had received in order that the body of Christ might be edified. (v. 6).

It is very easy to see the limited reference this verse has in direct application, as "us" in this context refers to Paul and Timothy only.

Timothy had the inter-ecclesial office of "evangelist₁" (2 Tim. 4:5). We recall that Philip the evangelist had the gift of miracles. Due to the position of being the Spiritual leader at Ephesus, Timothy probably had the gift of the "word of wisdom" and perhaps "governments". (1 Cor. 12:28).

¹ cf. Eph. 4:11 and Section E.

2 Timothy 3:5

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."

Problem:

This verse is wrested by those claiming the present possession of the Holy Spirit. "Christianity without the Holy Spirit is a form of Godliness, but denies the POWER thereof₂."

Solution:

1. This is a severe wresting of Scriptures. Those who engage in this activity do so unto their own destruction. This cannot possibly be applied to students of the Word. It applies only to those who are "false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God."

   Paul then declares that those in the verse above are the sort which "creep into houses and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts"

2. The verse does not refer in any way to "Christianity without the Holy Spirit." It refers to those without a holy spirit (or holy mind).

3. Rather than referring to "Christianity without the Holy Spirit", the context (v.8) shows that it was those who attempted to simulate the gifts; just as the pagan magicians attempted to do in Moses' time. These men denied the power of the gospel and sought pseudo gifts instead.

² AMAX, P. 4.