A worthy servant.
Lately, I've been captivated by the epistles to Timothy. Timothy is referred to by Paul as his "son in the faith" ( 1 Timothy 1:2), and had been raised in knowledge of the scriptures by his mother and grandmother. There are mixed opinions as to how old Timothy was at the time of his receiving this epistle, some would place his age in his late teens to early twenties, and some would place him in his late thirties to early forties.
No matter how old he was, it is evident that at least some members of the early church didn't think Timothy to be quite old enough. This was apparently such a concern that Paul brought it up in his first letter to the Corinthian church. "Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace: that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren." (1 Corinthians 16:10-11)
What Paul was saying was; "Hey guys, Timothy might be coming your way, and if he does, I'd really appreciate it if he's not afraid of what you think of him. He does the same thing I do, he works for the Lord. So, no one should hate him, but let him pass through your city in peace, so that he can come to where I am, because I count him as a brother and would like to see him."
Likewise, the first letter that Paul writes to Timothy, he addresses the issue directly. "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity." (emphasis mine)
If paul was speaking in today's terms, maybe he would say something like this; "Timothy, don't let anyone tell you you're too young to be important or to be a leader. Prove them wrong by being so on fire for God that you set an example for even the older believers in everything you do, in what you say, in how you love, in how you conduct yourself, in your faith in God, and in your purity."
Honestly, I think a lot of us take the first part of this verse way out of context. "Let no one look down on you because you are young", eh? I can do that! Don't hate me cause I'm young! hear that? it's in the BIBLE! Im invincible!
Yeah, no. It's more than just a superiority complex. All that does is prove the naysayers right. Paul went further than to tell Timothy not to care what others thought. He gave Timothy a charge that, if obeyed, would eliminate all the reasons he would be looked down upon in the first place. Sure, maybe the older folks needed to have more open minds, but Timothy also needed to have an open heart to follow God in everything he did.
Imagine what would happen if more christian teenagers took to heart the challenge given to Timothy.
Let's go back and cover the rest of the chapter, shall we?
"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4:1-5)
Paul was saying; "Here's the deal Timothy. You need to be on your guard, because the Spirit says that some are going to completely abandon everything we stand for in the end times. They will be full of hypocritical lies, they will be legalists who tell Christians not to marry and to only eat certain foods. This is nonsense. God gave us all food to receive with thankfulness. Everything that God made is good! No food is bad if you are grateful to God for it, because it has been made holy by God's word and by prayer."
Timothy was being warned about what would happen in the end times and being reminded of the truth, so that he could defend himself and the community of believers under his leadership from the deceit that would come.
6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. 10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach,[a] because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 11 These things command and teach.
Here, Timothy was being encouraged to exercise godliness, and to continue to instruct the brethren in the truth. Paul knew that there was a rough road ahead of Timothy, and that some would try to turn the young church from the truth, but Timothy was being equipped with what he needed to refute the hypocrites. If Timothy continued to instruct the believers in correct doctrine, then he would be a good minister of Jesus Christ, or to put it another way, a worthy servant. Paul was also reminding Timothy why he was doing this, because he trusted in the living God and was obeying the Great Commission
"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit,[b] in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you."
In the last section of chapter four, Timothy is given specific instructions for how he should act if he wants the people to listen to his instructions. Timothy is told to study the scriptures, to encourage the members of his church, and to use the gift he was given by prophecy. He is told to give himself entirely to these things, so that everyone would see how he is improving. He is told to watch himself and his doctrine to save himself and the people who listened to him.
1 and 2 Timothy are both full of wonderful advice for those who are trying to be a God-glorifying example. I like to think about what would happen if more people read what Paul had to say to Timothy.
Set an example for the believers?
Challenge accepted.
.
No matter how old he was, it is evident that at least some members of the early church didn't think Timothy to be quite old enough. This was apparently such a concern that Paul brought it up in his first letter to the Corinthian church. "Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace: that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren." (1 Corinthians 16:10-11)
What Paul was saying was; "Hey guys, Timothy might be coming your way, and if he does, I'd really appreciate it if he's not afraid of what you think of him. He does the same thing I do, he works for the Lord. So, no one should hate him, but let him pass through your city in peace, so that he can come to where I am, because I count him as a brother and would like to see him."
Likewise, the first letter that Paul writes to Timothy, he addresses the issue directly. "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity." (emphasis mine)
If paul was speaking in today's terms, maybe he would say something like this; "Timothy, don't let anyone tell you you're too young to be important or to be a leader. Prove them wrong by being so on fire for God that you set an example for even the older believers in everything you do, in what you say, in how you love, in how you conduct yourself, in your faith in God, and in your purity."
Honestly, I think a lot of us take the first part of this verse way out of context. "Let no one look down on you because you are young", eh? I can do that! Don't hate me cause I'm young! hear that? it's in the BIBLE! Im invincible!
Yeah, no. It's more than just a superiority complex. All that does is prove the naysayers right. Paul went further than to tell Timothy not to care what others thought. He gave Timothy a charge that, if obeyed, would eliminate all the reasons he would be looked down upon in the first place. Sure, maybe the older folks needed to have more open minds, but Timothy also needed to have an open heart to follow God in everything he did.
Imagine what would happen if more christian teenagers took to heart the challenge given to Timothy.
Let's go back and cover the rest of the chapter, shall we?
"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4:1-5)
Paul was saying; "Here's the deal Timothy. You need to be on your guard, because the Spirit says that some are going to completely abandon everything we stand for in the end times. They will be full of hypocritical lies, they will be legalists who tell Christians not to marry and to only eat certain foods. This is nonsense. God gave us all food to receive with thankfulness. Everything that God made is good! No food is bad if you are grateful to God for it, because it has been made holy by God's word and by prayer."
Timothy was being warned about what would happen in the end times and being reminded of the truth, so that he could defend himself and the community of believers under his leadership from the deceit that would come.
6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. 10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach,[a] because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 11 These things command and teach.
Here, Timothy was being encouraged to exercise godliness, and to continue to instruct the brethren in the truth. Paul knew that there was a rough road ahead of Timothy, and that some would try to turn the young church from the truth, but Timothy was being equipped with what he needed to refute the hypocrites. If Timothy continued to instruct the believers in correct doctrine, then he would be a good minister of Jesus Christ, or to put it another way, a worthy servant. Paul was also reminding Timothy why he was doing this, because he trusted in the living God and was obeying the Great Commission
"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit,[b] in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you."
In the last section of chapter four, Timothy is given specific instructions for how he should act if he wants the people to listen to his instructions. Timothy is told to study the scriptures, to encourage the members of his church, and to use the gift he was given by prophecy. He is told to give himself entirely to these things, so that everyone would see how he is improving. He is told to watch himself and his doctrine to save himself and the people who listened to him.
1 and 2 Timothy are both full of wonderful advice for those who are trying to be a God-glorifying example. I like to think about what would happen if more people read what Paul had to say to Timothy.
Set an example for the believers?
Challenge accepted.
.
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