1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and [his] doctrine be not blasphemed. 2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise [them], because they are brethren; but rather do [them] service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. 3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ [Rabbi Yahushua ha Mashiach], and to the doctrine which is according togodliness[Sabbath-keeping - eusebia]; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness [Sabbath-keeping - eusebia]: from such withdraw thyself. 6 But godliness [Sabbath-keeping - eusebia] with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness [Sabbath-keeping - eusebia], faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and [before] Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 14 That thou keep [this] commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15 Which in his times he shall shew, [who is] the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom [be] honour and power everlasting. Amen. 17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in tore for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane [and] vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace [be] with thee. Amen.
The whole book of 1st Timothy has been examined here, and we see that the Hebrew understanding of the Greek words translated into English as 'godly' or 'godliness', etc., never excludes the idea of Sabbath-keeping, for it is an integral element of seeking righteousness as much as faith, love, patience, meekness, etc.. Righteousness is impossible without the concept of keeping all Yahweh's commandments; especially including Sabbath-keeping, for if we break one commandment, we are guilty of breaking them all (James 2:10). First Timothy was written to a Sabbath-keeper by a Sabbath-keeper for potential Sabbath-keepers, so all men everywhere might know that Sabbath keeping, or Sabbath breaking for that matter, has eternal consequences: those who do their own works will have their works burnt up as wood, hay and stubble. But those who reject the Sabbath after being made aware of the truth, will have their part in the Lake of Fire alongside all of those who love and make lies and those who suppress the truth, for Yahweh has shown it to them.
The next time you run across the words, 'godly', 'ungodly', 'godliness' or 'ungodliness', you need to get out your Greek Interlinear and your Strong's concordance and look up the verses for yourself to find out if the Greek root 'theos' or the Hebrew root 'seb' is being translated. This is my challenge to you as you seek truth and understanding from the Ruach ha Qodesh [the Spirit that is set-apart, or the Holy Spirit].
In closing, there is a verse in Matthew worth examining closer.
Matthew 27:46 "And about the ninth hour Yahushua cried out with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My El, my El, why hast thou forsaken me?"
Was our Messiah when on the crucifixion stake, uttering to His Father, "My El, My El, how I keep your Sabbath"? Has there been a world wide conspiracy by Satan to keep the knowledge of the importance of the Sabbath from Yahweh's people through deception, misdefinition and mistranslations? I know this is not the way it is preached or taught in the churches and synagogues but look at the root 'sab', stemming from the Hebrew word for 'Sabbath'. Not only was Messiah 'not forsaken' as we have been taught, but He was teaching us in His final flesh and blood lesson, by quoting the first phrase from the first verse of Psalm 22 and substituting the Aramaic word 'sabacthani' in place, that,whereas King David was in personal agony over 'feeling forsaken' [Hebrew word 'azab', or 'azavthani'], Yahushua had faith in obeying His Father's command, even in death.
To this end please consider the following passage of scripture:
Acts 2:29-36, (Peter speaking) "Men and brethren, let me freely speak to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is here with us to this day. Therefore, being a prophet and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne. He, seeing this before, spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his (Messiah's) soul was not left in hell,neither did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God, exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens, but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore, let all the House of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, both Lord and Christ.
According to Hebrew customs, when the first verse of a Chapter of the Old Testament is memorized, it becomes the 'hook' in memorization to knowing and recalling the contents of the rest of the Chapter so identified. Here, Messiah Yahushua is telling those gathered around Him to REMEMBER what the Scriptures said in Psalm22 because it was happening just as it had been foretold. Verses 13-18 describe the agony of the Messiah, the piercing of His hands and feet, and the dividing and casting lots for His garment. Our Messiah wanted them to recognize that He was the Messiah, and prophecy was being fulfilled before their very eyes; for their sakes. Isn't it interesting also, that the Fourth Commandment requires us to REMEMBER the Sabbath? It is the only one of the Ten Commandments specifically mentioned that we were to REMEMBER. Is it because our heavenly Father, Yahweh, knew His people would forget or be deceived away from keeping His Sabbaths? We believe Yahushua haMashiach was giving a message to us in this deceived generation that He kept His Father's Sabbaths (Feast Days and weekly Sabbaths) from His place of persecution, even to the point of death ....... and beyond!
This teaching has been given to Congregation Beth Miqlat by Bill Klimek.