Pauls advice to Timothy - Rev. Manish Lal

A fundamental question asked by most Christians is ‘How can I face the Lord, am I so righteous that I can stand before the Lord?’ Micah asked a similar question (Mic.6:6-7). In response we find God’s answer ‘what does the LORD require of you? To stand in His presence, God requires us to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly.

In Paul’s commissioning of Timothy, we obtain insights of equipping ourselves. Paul commands Timothy to develop godliness – ‘For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come’ (1 Tim.4:8). Then, Paul outlines a specific action that Timothy has to take in providing a model for others to follow.

The command was: preserve in teaching and preaching the truth of scripture – ‘Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you’ (1 Tim 4:13-14). In 1 Tim.4:7-8 Paul uses the word ‘godly’ or ‘Godliness’ in Greek language (eusebeia) that is to call Timothy back to the proper practice.

It is true that Timothy is personally challenged to practice godliness, but the author speaks of it in general terms applying to every Christian. This is emphasized by the use of the passive phrase – ‘This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance’ (1 Tim.4:9). Timothy is expected to work and struggle so that this form of godliness and the knowledge of the promise that godliness brings with it will come to fruition and be known to all people.

And the struggle is also marked by the sign of hope in God as savior of all humanity. In 1 Tim.4:11-16, Paul emphasized that Timothy has to preserve in what he had begun. Timothy began well by obeying Gods commands. Paul suggests that if Timothy is obligated to model behavior and teaching someone might object that he is too young and despise him for that reason. Paul makes it clear that it is not ones age that is decisive for the acceptance of community duties, but only the appointment to office through the laying on of hands.

Then authority is achieved through office. Paul desired to continue on the path of obedience to provide an exemplary life for others believers. Paul urged Timothy to make a positive presentation of the truth. His expression ‘point out’ implies a suggestion not an order. In describing Timothy as a ‘minister’, Paul used the word translated ‘deacon’ in 1 Tim.3:8, (diakonos). Paul is not suggesting Timothy to hold the office as deacon. But he pictured Timothy as having the function of a servant.

Some scholars suggest that ‘True Christianity consists rather in ever renewed submission to control of the Spirit, with the cheerful acceptance to toil and suffering and the practice of those virtues which are the fruit of the Spirit.’ ‘This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all humankind and especially of those who believe’ (1 Tim.4:9-10). For the ones who trust Him, Jesus stands as a savior in a far deeper and more profound way. This assurance of salvation belongs to those who have received Christ. His purpose in stressing this assurance for believers was to remind them that their hope in God would not be in vain.

Paul expressed some of the emphases that were to characterize in Timothy ministry.

1. Paul wanted Timothy to live a spiritual exemplary life of what a believer truly ought to be. Paul desired that people at Ephesus will develop godliness by modeling Timothy. These would produce encouragement not only in Timothy, but also could set in order for some dissidents, faultfinding in the congregation.

2. Paul wanted Timothy to involve in proclaiming Gods message. Timothy has to apply himself in reading, preaching and teaching. The very brevity of these instructions indicates genuineness.

3. Paul wanted Timothy not to neglect the spiritual gift that he has received. The ‘gift’ likely represented as an aptitude for teaching and preaching together with an ability to understand the gospel and discern error.

4. Paul wanted Timothy to be consistent in spiritual growth. This emphasis appears in V. 15-16. Paul’s purpose in the appeal for Timothy is to make a powerful demonstration of spiritual advance since his early years.

If Timothy obeyed Paul advice, his friends in Ephesus would not see him as an inexperienced youth but as a growing man of God. We should also take the instructions that Paul has given to Timothy in order to grow in Christ and serve one another.