I Timothy 4:12-16
CONTEXT: Throughout this letter, Paul has given Timothy careful instructions about proper worship, qualifications of leaders—both deacons and pastors—the conduct of women in worship, etc. The summation of his letter really begins in chapter 3: 15-16:
“Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”
Here we have the clear context of Paul’s letter. He was writing a letter of instruction that would advise Timothy of some things he did not know. Although Timothy grew up in a home where his mother and grandmother had shared the faith with him, he had not grown up in a believing church and therefore did not know for certain how believers should conduct themselves, especially in the areas that Paul mentions in this letter. How does a church select a pastor or a deacon? How could Timothy know this without having a “church” experience or even a set of bylaws outlining the methods and qualifications for leadership positions? How could Timothy know the way that the women he was going to pastor where supposed to conduct themselves? Paul provided him with a certainty, a set of instructions that would make it clear.
Then Paul tells Timothy in the beginning of chapter 4 (a continuation of his summary) that there will be people who will turn away from the truth. He names several false doctrines that people will accept and give Timothy the encouragement to stay focused on truth and continue pointing to the right way and by doing so he would demonstrate himself to be a minister of Christ, nourished on the truths of the faith. Paul wants Timothy to be cautious about following some new teaching, some new gospel, some new doctrine, so that he will stay rooted in the truth.
In verse 11 he tells Timothy to do two things:
COMMAND- He is to stand firm on the doctrines Paul has given him. He is to speak with authority in a manner that expects obedience.
TEACH – He is to teach these things. He is to pass on truth.
Do you long for your children to have teachable moments? Those moments are precious when you are not giving orders, but simply sharing how things work and why they work that why! Young people, do you provide your parents the opportunity to teach, or must they always be ordering you about?
Now we get to the meet of the message—look at verse 12
Paul tells Timothy not to let those he was ministering to look down (literally think against or despise) his youth. Paul knew something very important- REAL respect isn’t demanded—it is earned! It is essential to the context to note that Paul isn’t telling Timothy to stand up and demand respect in spite of his youth—he tells Timothy that instead he is to earn the respect of those he ministers to by providing a living example, especially in five areas:
1) Speech - how you speak
Colossians 4:6 “Let Your Speech be with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how to answer every man.”
Your words demonstrate your maturity or lack thereof. Your words need to be sweet and kind because sooner or later you are going to run into someone who will try to make you eat your words.
2) Conduct- how you behave
Do you act with maturity? Do you respond in emotion instead of in a godly manner?
3) Love- How you treat others
Love means you are concerned for others and demonstrate it with sacrificial living. Do you work to meet needs? As you grow up you learn how to love—which means giving rather than getting.
4) Faith – The trust factor—Do you believe God?
Faith Is nothing more than believing God. It is not some form of eternal optimism. It is trusting God and following God. Pastor Joe told me recently that someone testified of him that when Joe starts praying for something you better look out—God answers Pastor Joe’s prayers. This is a wonderful demonstration of faith. Do you trust God? Do you let people know what you are praying for? Do you watch together as God accomplishes His will? Do people see God answering your prayers? Do they see that instead of worrying you are trusting God?
5) Purity- free from sexual misconduct
The Greek word translated here means “chastity” and speaks primarily of refraining from sexual defilement. For a young man, remaining sexually chaste would be difficult, but important if he was going to be dedicated to the ministry.
The next step in Timothy’s spiritual growth was to increase his focus on:
The Public Reading of Scripture:
This is an important ministry in a church! It is more important than singing! It is more important than the announcements of events and projects. It is more important than praying for the sick. Our local church has a Scripture Reading in addition to the Sunday morning Sermon every Sunday. Sometimes we repeat the same reading several Sundays in a row in order to help cement that Scripture in the hearts and minds of people. God’s Word, allowing God to speak, is the most important part of any worship, be it worship performed in a congregation, or private worship in the prayer closet.
Preaching- expounding God’s Word
Teaching- explaining God’s Word
Verse 14 reminds us that Spiritual Gifts are confirmed by the body. A person should never assume he has a spiritual gift that the rest of the body cannot agree that the person has been blessed with. A church needs to confirm spiritual gifts in order for it to be fully capable of carrying out its mission of reaching people for Christ and growing them in Christ.
This may be a silly illustration, but I’ve seen a fellow play the guitar with his feet. This man was born with no arms and somehow taught himself to play the guitar using his feet! Amazing as that is, next Sunday morning I don’t plan to lay my guitar on the ground, peel off my shoes and try to play. My body will not agree that I am able to play the guitar with my feet. I would either end up with athlete’s guitar or cut up toes from the sharp strings. Your feet cannot decide one day that they are supposed to act as hands and therefore your hands have to find another job, so they have to act as your feet. It just doesn’t work that way. The body has to agree on a person’s spiritual gift in order to fully cooperate with that gift and in order to reap the benefits of that gift.
Verse 15 speaks of the need to be diligent and to the need for Timothy to apply himself.
Paul wanted EVERYONE to see his progress. We should open to the evaluation of others. The progress of Spiritual growth in our lives ought to be an encouragement to others.
Finally, in verse 16, Paul emphasizes the need for the believer to be careful in his spiritual walk in order to protect himself and those to whom he ministers.
NOTE the two areas Paul emphasized in that final verse of our text. I sort of prefer the King James reading, as it implies a slightly stronger emphasis than I would have placed, had I not looked at it more carefully. It reads:
“Take Heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine, continue in them…”
Why is this stronger? Both NIV and the King James Version tell us that Paul was instructing Timothy to “Watch himself” which obviously means to be careful how he lived. It is the second part that seems stronger to me. It is “THE” doctrine, NOT “YOUR” doctrine. In other words, Paul tells Timothy to STICK with the manner of life he already knows and also to lean heavily on THE INSTRUCTION he has already been given. He may be tempted to “new doctrines” or he may let an area of his life slide.
This is important because a believer must TAKE HEED or pay close attention to how he lives. I’ve been working on living healthier—did you know that means PAYING ATTENTION to what I eat, how much I eat. It also means I have to persevere in a regular exercise program. When I stop paying attention and ignore healthy eating habits, etc. it tends to promote a general laziness in regards to exercising. It takes no effort at all to live an unhealthy lifestyle. It just happens. A healthy lifestyle takes diligence.
The believer needs to note that it takes diligence to spend time in prayer and Bible study. It takes effort to persevere in right attitudes and actions. It DOES NOT just happen. It takes a perseverant spirit in the life of the believer, dedicated to submission to God at all costs. It takes effort. Taking up one’s cross daily is a genuine effort. Serving God is not easy. I heard a person say one time that it is easier to die for the Lord than to live for Him.
Paul offered another warning in this final verse. The life and behavior of Timothy would affect other people. As members of a church body we have the responsibility to deal with our own sin so that it does not bring damage and harm into the lives of others. We use church discipline when necessary so that we don’t become affected with sin. Paul wrote to the Corinthian people (I Corinthians 5) that there were two goals of church discipline.. First that the man might be redeemed (I Corinthians 5:5) and second that this man’s sin not corrupt the rest of the church (I Corinthians 5:6).
Our behavior affects other people. What we believe affects other people. Timothy’s conduct and his beliefs would affect those to whom he would minister. Paul wanted Timothy to recall the instruction for right living as well as proper doctrines for HIS protection and the protection of those to whom he would minister.
