1 Timothy

The chapter opens with how Timothy is to encourage rather than rebuke across the age and gender spectrum in the church: Rebuke with gentleness pleading with him as a father to an older man, as a brother toward a younger man, to the older women as mothers, and to the younger women as sisters (1-2). Honor is the key term in the discussions of the two primary groups discussed in this chapter - widows (3-16), and elders (17-25). Paul first directs the honor and care to be paid to widows (3-8). The widow's ability to serve is testified to by a lifetime of piety, "put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old..."(9-10). vv.11-16 identify condemnable disregard of Christ and directions for remarrying to the younger widows, who may continue to serve in the church. vv.17-25 acknowledge honor due to elders who labor at preaching the word and teaching, followed by instructions for addressing accusations against an elder (19), those who continue in sin (20), and proper testing of those called to the role of elder (21-25). *while v23 may seem out of place, Paul was likely referencing Timothy's decision to abstain from wine in contrast to many at Ephesus who would have been committed to strong drink. Paul is making this statement following v.22, "keep yourself pure," so as not to endorse Timothy's stance against consuming wine as a tenet of purity.

Closing his letter to Timothy, Paul warns against those who use godliness as a means of gain. The implication being that of financial gain, Paul sarcastically contrasts this with the irony that godliness is, in fact, a means of "great gain." But with the correct focus, mere food and clothing bring contentment. His emphasis is that contentment rather than greed should be the way of life for believers. He reminds Timothy that the love of money can be the root of all kinds of evil and that pursuing wealth can cause one to depart from the faith. From verse 11 to the end of the letter, Paul delivers an emphatic encouragement to fight the good fight of faith while setting the correct example. Pray as you read these verses that God would use you to provide the right words of encouragement to other believers, just as Paul has done here. Ask God to impress these words on your heart so that they will be a fountain of life as you speak to others.

“The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil. For his mouth speaks from the abundance of his heart." (Luke 6:45)

Verses 2-7 are a checklist of qualifications for pastors and elders. Not duties, but qualifications. In an unsuccessful church, the issue is less often poor programs or uncommitted people, but rather substandard, unqualified leadership. Only the Holy Spirit can produce a true spiritual leader. When Saul failed to follow God as the King of Israel, the Lord Yahweh sought out David, "a man after His own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14). The call to lead the church is so important that the office must be qualified by the highest standards. Today, people may enter the ministry for a variety of reasons that do not honor God, including Power, Fame, and Profit. The office must be above reproach, with deed matching word. Otherwise, in the words of the 17th-century Puritan preacher Richard Baxter, you may "unsay with your lives, what you say with your tongues." The chapter closes with a Gospel summarizing poem from an early church hymn. God became man, died for our sins, triumphed over death, was honored by angels and feared by demons, and ascended into heaven. It is our mission to proclaim this message to the world.

In chapter four, Paul shifts to warnings of falling away from the faith and of false teaching. Note the corollary of falling away seen in the disciples' response to Jesus' hard teaching in John 6:66. Paul had just delivered instructions to those who would be qualified by Spirit and deed. He also qualified the office of the bishop (or pastor) as, of "good reputation with those outside of the church" (3:7), and "not a new convert" (3:6). Paul is more than willing to use sarcasm to contrast a good example with a bad one. He does so in 4:6-7 by describing the utility of sound doctrine for the good servant of Christ Jesus, with the godless myths "fit only for old women." This was a common epithet of his day used to represent disdain for a viewpoint lacking credibility, and therefore appealing only to uneducated, unsophisticated, and perhaps senile matrons. No intelligent person would hear it, and the Ephesians would have understood Paul's use of the phrase. Knowing the work of the Spirit is by no means limited, Paul next delivered instruction that served a two-fold purpose for Timothy specifically (as a young pastor), and to newer converts to the faith (as young believers). In 4:12, Paul says, "Let no one look down on your youthfulness..." This should be considered not only for those accepting a call to ministry from a young age but for ANY called to serve the LORD, regardless of "tenure" as a member of the body of believers. YOU, "a good servant of Christ Jesus, being nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine," are able to testify in word, conduct, love, faith, and purity.