1 Timothy 1:12–17
Paul refers to “trust” four times in his letter to Timothy. It is absolutely necessary for us to trust God to believe that He can and will perform in our lives what He has promised in His word.
To clearly understand what you must do to learn to trust God is to first understand what trust is—and then take time to meditate on what Paul is conveying in this letter to Timothy. The Greek translation of the word and its interpretation in each of these four verses offers additional insight to help you to grow your trust in God.
• Trust is the reliance upon the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something. Or, one in which confidence is placed.
1.) Timothy 1:11
“According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.”
In this passage of scripture, trust is referenced as pisteuo ( pis-yoo’-o ) to have faith ( in upon, or with respect to, a person or thing ). It comes from the root word pistis, meaning ‘persuasion’
• The question is not “Can we have faith in God?” but rather, “Can God have faith in us?” We must learn to trust the integrity of the word of God that He has given to us.
2.) 1 Timothy 4:10
“For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all man, specially of those that believe.”
Here, trust is regarded as pistos which is objectively trustworthy, subjectively trustful; believe, believing, faithful, faithfully sure, true.
• You must be willing to endure some hardships. When you have faith in God, you will find though trials come, you can trust that God will never fail you.
3.) 1 Timothy 6:17
“Charge them that are rich/wealthy in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy,”
Greek word richly—Trust is defined as polo-see-oce – copiously: yielding of something abundantly, plentiful in number, abundantly richly
• Don’t put your faith in things. The very things that the world trusts in are the things that God brings into our lives when we trust him. God doesn’t want your trust to be in things; He wants you to trust Him.
4.) 1 Timothy 6:20-21
“O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings (empty sounding, fruitless discussions) and oppositions of science falsely so called: which is untrue knowledge by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith.”
Parakatatheke – only used once in scripture – ( par-ak-at-ath-ay’-kay) something put down alongside, a deposit that which is committed
• You can expect a return when you simply put your trust in God. Don’t speak untruths or engage in worthless conversations. Speak faith-filled, trusting words.
Ephesians 1:13-14
“…And him you also trust, after you heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. 14 who is the guarantee (A down payment or deposit) of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of his glory.”
• In the end, God has to trust us to keep the faith that we have!