1 Timothy is a precious book for a couple reasons: firstly and foremost because of the powerful message of the Gospel contained in it; secondly and almost as important for the instructions it gives for the selection of pastors and church leaders; thirdly it also gives a glimpse into Paul mentoring Timothy, almost like father and son.
In the whole scheme of things Paul and Timothy’s relationship is not that important, but it adds a dimension, or a flavor, to this book. Paul is not just writing an instruction manual here. He is passing on what is important to a young man whom he loves like a son. Most of Paul’s books are written to whole congregations covering overarching needs, and in doing so he gives the whole Church the Word of God. Here he is giving special instruction. Read this letter with that thought in mind. The father teaches the son. The older teaches the younger.
I think that here we see something that should happen more today – and needs to happen more today: Older Christians investing themselves in younger Christians, men, women, fathers, mothers, different people at different stages of life, but all sharing our one hope in Jesus, encouraging, caring, equipping, and training as we walk in faith together.
Paul starts out with an admonition many fathers have made to their sons – stay focused. Remember your job. You are there to make sure true doctrine is taught and that the stewardship from God is seen too.
The NIV translation says, in 1:4, “These promote controversies rather than God's work-- which is by faith.” The word they translate God’s work is oikonomia – roughly translated in could mean house law. It’s the word that is also translated stewardship throughout the New Testament. The work of the church is not our own, but it is entrusted to us – a stewardship. God’s household is conducted to proclaim true teachings regarding God’s love and forgiveness.
God’s Law is given to us to restrain wicked behavior, to show people their need for repentance and forgiveness, and to direct our lives to live according to God’s will. But, the stewardship from God – the work we do as part of his household – is more than just going about declaring that people should behave in this way or in that. The work of God’s household begins with how we became part of His household.
Paul reminds Timothy that the only reason he has the privilege of being part of God’s household is that God had had mercy on him. The overflow of God’s grace from us to others is the key work of God’s household. As Paul says, “I received mercy for this reason, that in me, . . . Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.” In other words, God uses our lives to show people that they can be forgiven and restored, too.
This is the struggle Timothy had, and we too have. We are called hold tight to Jesus’ cross as our only hopefor salvation. Because of that we desire to change our lives so our behavior is appropriate for God’s household. But we must never confuse the whys and hows. We want to behave as part of God’s household because we have been forgiven in Christ. We want to teach pure doctrine because Jesus’ has claimed us as his own, and we don’t want to confuse anyone to think they can earn this forgiveness Jesus has given us. That’s the message Timothy is to proclaim, and to help his people keep straight. We are forgiven, not worthy. But God’s love is great – so great that God forgives even people like . . .
Heavenly Father, Help me to live in you love and forgiveness. Through your Word, shape my life so that I will display your love and forgiveness and share the message with others of Jesus’ death and resurrection so they can know your salvation, too. Amen.
In the whole scheme of things Paul and Timothy’s relationship is not that important, but it adds a dimension, or a flavor, to this book. Paul is not just writing an instruction manual here. He is passing on what is important to a young man whom he loves like a son. Most of Paul’s books are written to whole congregations covering overarching needs, and in doing so he gives the whole Church the Word of God. Here he is giving special instruction. Read this letter with that thought in mind. The father teaches the son. The older teaches the younger.
I think that here we see something that should happen more today – and needs to happen more today: Older Christians investing themselves in younger Christians, men, women, fathers, mothers, different people at different stages of life, but all sharing our one hope in Jesus, encouraging, caring, equipping, and training as we walk in faith together.
Paul starts out with an admonition many fathers have made to their sons – stay focused. Remember your job. You are there to make sure true doctrine is taught and that the stewardship from God is seen too.
The NIV translation says, in 1:4, “These promote controversies rather than God's work-- which is by faith.” The word they translate God’s work is oikonomia – roughly translated in could mean house law. It’s the word that is also translated stewardship throughout the New Testament. The work of the church is not our own, but it is entrusted to us – a stewardship. God’s household is conducted to proclaim true teachings regarding God’s love and forgiveness.
God’s Law is given to us to restrain wicked behavior, to show people their need for repentance and forgiveness, and to direct our lives to live according to God’s will. But, the stewardship from God – the work we do as part of his household – is more than just going about declaring that people should behave in this way or in that. The work of God’s household begins with how we became part of His household.
Paul reminds Timothy that the only reason he has the privilege of being part of God’s household is that God had had mercy on him. The overflow of God’s grace from us to others is the key work of God’s household. As Paul says, “I received mercy for this reason, that in me, . . . Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.” In other words, God uses our lives to show people that they can be forgiven and restored, too.
This is the struggle Timothy had, and we too have. We are called hold tight to Jesus’ cross as our only hopefor salvation. Because of that we desire to change our lives so our behavior is appropriate for God’s household. But we must never confuse the whys and hows. We want to behave as part of God’s household because we have been forgiven in Christ. We want to teach pure doctrine because Jesus’ has claimed us as his own, and we don’t want to confuse anyone to think they can earn this forgiveness Jesus has given us. That’s the message Timothy is to proclaim, and to help his people keep straight. We are forgiven, not worthy. But God’s love is great – so great that God forgives even people like . . .
Heavenly Father, Help me to live in you love and forgiveness. Through your Word, shape my life so that I will display your love and forgiveness and share the message with others of Jesus’ death and resurrection so they can know your salvation, too. Amen.
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