January 08, 2022
Now to the letters to Timothy and Titus.
All three letters were likely written around 65/66 AD
Paul was entrusting Timothy, in Ephesus, and Titus, in Crete, with the Gospel that he had sacrificed so much to proclaim.
Which brings us to My Favorite Thing About 1st and 2nd TIMOTHY and TITUS ---- Paul’s instructions to young pastors.
Timothy
At the end of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus, he warned the church of false teachers – inside and outside the church {Acts 20:28-31}. Paul repeated these warning to Timothy:
• Myths, Genealogies, Controversies, Meaningless talk (1:4; 1:6; 4:7)
o 1 Timothy 1:3-7 - As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus, in order that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, 4 nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. 5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, 7 wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.
• Quarrels over words (6:4)
o 1 Timothy 6:3-5 - If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.
• Empty chatter, False Knowledge, Opposing arguments (6:20)
o 1 Timothy 6:20-21 - O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge " -- 21 which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.
Dealing with troublemakers was only part of the problem in Ephesus. There were some who were seeking leadership positions who had no business being leaders in the church, so, Paul also gave Timothy practical advice regarding church worship structure and how to choose spiritual and practical leaders:
Elder:
• Is above reproach.
• Has only one wife.
• Is temperate – prudent – respectable – hospitable.
• Is able to teach.
• Is not addicted to wine.
• Is not quick to argue and is not contentious.
• Is gentle.
• Is free from the love of money.
• Is able to manage his own household and keep control of his children.
• Is not a new convert.
• Has a good reputation inside and outside the church.
Deacon:
• Is dignified.
• Is not double tongued.
• Is not addicted to wine.
• Is not fond of sorted gain.
• Has only one wife.
• Holds onto the mysteries of faith with a clear conscience.
• Is a good manager of their children and household.
Deaconess:
• Is dignified.
• Is temperate.
• Is not malicious gossip.
• Is faithful in all things
Don’t just get any warm body to fill leadership roles in the church. Be picky about it because these individuals will lead the church and set the transformational tone for the congregation.
Regarding Widows:
• Her family is responsible for her care – the church steps in if she has no family.
• She must really be a widow and above the age of 60.
• If she is young, she should be encouraged to remarry instead of seeking handouts from the church.
Regarding Leaders:
• Hold in high esteem Elders who excel at preaching and teaching.
• Accusations made against an elder must have 2 or 3 witnesses. If the charge is true, deal with it publicly.
• Do not show partiality.
• Do not be hasty to reinstate a leader who has been disciplined.
Regarding Personal Conduct:
• Set a moral example for your congregation.
• Be content with what you have – the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil
• Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness
• Fight the good fight of faith and take hold of eternal life.
• Be obedient to the word of God.
Timothy, you have been gifted by God, called into ministry and hands have been laid on you. God did not give you a spirit of fear. He gave you a spirit of power and love and a sound mind. Therefore, don’t be ashamed of the testimony of Jesus or of me.
Hold fast to what I have taught you. Be strong in the grace of Jesus. Teach faithful individuals who will then teach others.
Command your congregation not to argue over words or idle talk that offers no benefit, inflicts harm and can spread like a cancer.
Avoid foolish and ignorant disputes because you know that they only cause strife. A servant of God must not argue but is to be gentle – able to teach – patient – humble when needing to correct.
In the last days men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such people!
All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and for instruction in righteousness so that men may be complete and thoroughly equipped for good works.
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine. They will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside by fables. Be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
TITUS
According to the book of ACTS, Paul went to Crete only once and that was on his way to Rome. Establishment of the church was left undone and the job to finish the work fell to Titus. Paul wrote him a letter:
The first thing you need to do is appoint the Elders. Each candidate should be:
• Above reproach – any words or actions that could bring dishonor to God need to be avoided. That includes the perception of sin.
• Faithful to spouse and have faithful Children – if a man cannot be trusted to be faithful in all things regarding his family [Which includes the educating and disciplining his children}, he cannot be trusted with shepherding the church.
Make sure each candidate is:
NOT:
• Intemperate or rebellious
• Self-willed
• Quick tempered
• Addicted to wine
• Quarrelsome or argumentative
• A pursuer of dishonest gain
BUT IS:
• Hospitable
• Does what is right and loves what is good.
• Sensible.
• Just, devout and self-controlled.
• Holds fast to the Word of God so that what he teaches will stand up in the face of adversity and persecution – silencing the strongest opposition.
Be on the lookout for “Christians” who are not content in their own rebellion, but who want to destroy the body of Christ through hidden agendas. They must be stopped, or they will infect the whole congregation.
Cretans have a well-deserved reputation for being compulsive liars, evil brutes and lazy gluttons {quoting Epimenides of Gnossus – poet, prophet, native of Crete}. Therefore, the leaders of the church are to be different. Don’t hesitate to reprove if necessary.
Regarding the Congregation:
• Don’t pay any attention to those who insist on man-made commandments or Jewish myths. They claim to know God, but their actions prove that they don’t. Don’t be like them!
• Older men need to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled and sound in faith, love and endurance.
• Older women need to be reverent, not malicious gossips or addicted to wine. They should teach by example and encourage the younger women to love their husbands, love their children, be sensible, pure and hard working.
• Young men should be sensible.
• Slaves are subject to their masters and should try to please them. They should not argue or steal but are to show that they can be fully trusted.
• Believers are to be subject to the authorities, obedient and ready at all times to do whatever is good. They should not slander anyone but should be peaceable and considerate and show humility to everyone.
Regarding Personal Conduct:
• Make sure you are speaking the truth.
• In all these things, set a good example: Your good deeds and the purity of the doctrine you preach. Be dignified. Your words should be above reproach --- so that those who oppose you will be put to shame because they’ll have nothing bad to say about you.
Titus 2:11-15 - For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope-- the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. 15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
Remind your congregation that before they met Jesus, they deserved the reputation of every Cretan. They were malicious and envious and hateful. But when the kindness and love of Jesus appeared, he saved us, not because of our righteousness, but because of his mercy. Through Baptism and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, which we received through Him, we have been justified by his grace and have become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Don’t get caught up in foolish controversies or genealogies or disputes regarding the law – it is a waste of your time and energy. If someone continues to be divisive after you have warned him twice, have nothing to do with that person and don’t allow him to have influence over the congregation – he is twisted in his thinking. He condemns himself by his words and actions.
Confidently share this letter with the congregation, so that all who believe in God will be careful in how they behave.
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These 3 letters give us a good look at the challenges all pastors face. It is not an easy job to be given the responsibility for the spiritual care of other people, but Paul provides sound advice on how to properly deal with challenges when they arise. He also made it clear that regardless of their youth, both Timothy and Titus should lead with confidence and boldness.
Church leaders fill important roles in the growth of the church, so Paul presented Timothy and Titus with the most detailed and complete instructions regarding church leadership found Scripture. He placed a strong emphasis on the personal character of spiritual leaders as well as the congregation as a whole. Why? Because the actions, words, and deeds of those who claim to be Christ followers will either repulse people or attract them to Jesus. Paul was concerned about the reputation of Christians in the larger community, and he wanted the congregations to avoid anything that would create barriers to the gospel message.
• 2 Timothy 4:1-2 - I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
Good advice in 65 AD and good advice in 2022.
That’s why Instructions to Young Pastors is My Favorite Thing About 1st and 2nd TIMOTHY and TITUS.
