In his first epistle to Timothy, Paul explains how we’re to behave in God’s household (3:14–15). He has something to say to just about everyone – men, women, apostates, heretics, elders, deacons, widows, slaves, poor, rich, etc. In 4:6–16, he has something to say specifically to ministers of the gospel. Yet the principles (in these verses) are relevant for all Christians. Why? We’re all servants of Christ. The question is this: Are we good servants? Paul gives eight marks of “a good servant of Christ Jesus” (4:6). I considered four in the previous post. Here are the remaining four.
(1) Be Convinced! (4:13)
“Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching…”
Here, Paul urges Timothy to give attention to the public reading, preaching, and teaching of God's Word. Why? God’s Word is the means by which God’s Spirit works in His people. Are we convinced of that?
The Reformers place great emphasis on what Calvin calls “the sacramental word,” meaning they believe God’s Word is the only means by which God accomplishes His will among His people. In this respect, the Reformers differ from Catholicism, which looks to images, thereby cultivating a spirituality of senses. They also differ from Quakerism, which looks to the inner light, thereby cultivating a spirituality of feelings. The Reformers look to God’s Word alone. Do we?
The Holy Spirit inspired the authors, who penned the pages of Scripture. Since then, the Holy Spirit has illuminated what He inspired. Therefore, any experience of the Holy Spirit must be tied to the Bible. We’re slowly drifting away from that conviction. We’re witnessing in our day a resurgence of both Catholic and Quaker concepts of spirituality. As in the past, both will prove (in time) to be spiritually bankrupt.
Are we thoroughly convinced that the Spirit of God only works through the Word of God to accomplish the will of God among the people of God?
(2) Be Faithful! (4:14)
“Do not neglect the gift you have…”
The context suggests Timothy has the gift of teaching. Paul encourages Timothy to be faithful in its use. God has enabled all of us to serve in some way. Are we faithful?
“When I think of faithfulness, I remember a quiet man from a church, where I was a staff member. On Sunday, his arrival was always unnoticed, for he came long before anyone else. He unlocked the doors, got the bulletins, and then waited outside. When you walked up, he’d give you a bulletin and big smile. But he couldn’t talk. Something had happened to his voice long ago. He also had extensive arthritis, which stooped his shoulders and prevented him from turning his neck. Everything in his life worked to keep him in the background, even his name – Jimmy Small. Yet despite his drawbacks, setbacks, handicaps, and a plethora of potential excuses, he willingly served God. And he served in a disciplined way, which in the sight of God was neither small nor in vain” (Don Whitney).
(3) Be Careful! (4:15–16)
“Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching…”
We must “watch” our senses. “Set a strong guard around your outward senses: these are Satan’s landing places, especially the eye and the ear” (William Gurnall). (2) We must “watch” our affections. They’re easily allured. We must “watch” our motives. “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 6:1).
(4) Be Persistent! (4:16)
“Persist in this…”
Persistence is rare among us. Why? We want instant gratification. By way of corrective, we need to cultivate a long-term view of things. William Carey labored for seven years in India, before he saw his first convert. Adoniram Judson labored for seven years in Burma, before he saw his first convert. Robert Morrison labored for seven years in China, before he saw his first convert. So too, we must be persistent. “We must not be infected by the world’s valuation of either speed or success” (J. B. Phillips).
What will be the result of Timothy’s persistence? “You will save both yourself and your hearers” (4:16). That’s odd. Aren’t they already saved? We must not forget the context, established in 4:1–5. Paul is warning Timothy of the threat posed by false teachers. He tells Timothy what he must do, in order to save (guard or preserve) himself and his hearers from the threat.
Quotable: “There is nothing that ought to be more diligently learned in God’s school than the study of a holy and upright life” (John Calvin).
(1) Be Convinced! (4:13)
“Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching…”
Here, Paul urges Timothy to give attention to the public reading, preaching, and teaching of God's Word. Why? God’s Word is the means by which God’s Spirit works in His people. Are we convinced of that?
The Reformers place great emphasis on what Calvin calls “the sacramental word,” meaning they believe God’s Word is the only means by which God accomplishes His will among His people. In this respect, the Reformers differ from Catholicism, which looks to images, thereby cultivating a spirituality of senses. They also differ from Quakerism, which looks to the inner light, thereby cultivating a spirituality of feelings. The Reformers look to God’s Word alone. Do we?
The Holy Spirit inspired the authors, who penned the pages of Scripture. Since then, the Holy Spirit has illuminated what He inspired. Therefore, any experience of the Holy Spirit must be tied to the Bible. We’re slowly drifting away from that conviction. We’re witnessing in our day a resurgence of both Catholic and Quaker concepts of spirituality. As in the past, both will prove (in time) to be spiritually bankrupt.
Are we thoroughly convinced that the Spirit of God only works through the Word of God to accomplish the will of God among the people of God?
(2) Be Faithful! (4:14)
“Do not neglect the gift you have…”
The context suggests Timothy has the gift of teaching. Paul encourages Timothy to be faithful in its use. God has enabled all of us to serve in some way. Are we faithful?
“When I think of faithfulness, I remember a quiet man from a church, where I was a staff member. On Sunday, his arrival was always unnoticed, for he came long before anyone else. He unlocked the doors, got the bulletins, and then waited outside. When you walked up, he’d give you a bulletin and big smile. But he couldn’t talk. Something had happened to his voice long ago. He also had extensive arthritis, which stooped his shoulders and prevented him from turning his neck. Everything in his life worked to keep him in the background, even his name – Jimmy Small. Yet despite his drawbacks, setbacks, handicaps, and a plethora of potential excuses, he willingly served God. And he served in a disciplined way, which in the sight of God was neither small nor in vain” (Don Whitney).
(3) Be Careful! (4:15–16)
“Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching…”
We must “watch” our senses. “Set a strong guard around your outward senses: these are Satan’s landing places, especially the eye and the ear” (William Gurnall). (2) We must “watch” our affections. They’re easily allured. We must “watch” our motives. “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 6:1).
(4) Be Persistent! (4:16)
“Persist in this…”
Persistence is rare among us. Why? We want instant gratification. By way of corrective, we need to cultivate a long-term view of things. William Carey labored for seven years in India, before he saw his first convert. Adoniram Judson labored for seven years in Burma, before he saw his first convert. Robert Morrison labored for seven years in China, before he saw his first convert. So too, we must be persistent. “We must not be infected by the world’s valuation of either speed or success” (J. B. Phillips).
What will be the result of Timothy’s persistence? “You will save both yourself and your hearers” (4:16). That’s odd. Aren’t they already saved? We must not forget the context, established in 4:1–5. Paul is warning Timothy of the threat posed by false teachers. He tells Timothy what he must do, in order to save (guard or preserve) himself and his hearers from the threat.
Quotable: “There is nothing that ought to be more diligently learned in God’s school than the study of a holy and upright life” (John Calvin).
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