Instructions for a Pastor

This chapter deals with the pastor’s spiritual life and labors. It indicates that a true minister will have three qualities. He will be:

I. A Good Minister: Preaching the Word (1 Timothy 4:1–6)

1 Timothy 4:1–6 (NLT)

1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.

2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.

3 They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth.

4 Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks.

5 For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.

6 If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed.

A. The danger (1 Timothy 4:1–3).

1 Timothy 4:1–3 (NLT)

1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.

2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.

3 They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth.

1- The Ephesian church had been warned already about the coming of false doctrines (Acts 20:29–30).

Acts 20:29–30 (NLT)

29 I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock.

30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.

2- Throughout Paul’s letters, “the Holy Spirit tells us clearly ” (expressly) that the church will see apostasy, a falling away from the true faith (see 2 Thes. 2:3).

2 Thessalonians 2:3 (NLT)

3 Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction.

The word “depart” in the Gk. gives us our English word “apostasy.” He points out too the cause for the apostasy—not the “growing intelligence of scholars” but the satanic influence of demons so that professed believers deny the basic doctrines of the Bible. The problem is not with the head but with the heart!

3- What are the marks of these false teachers? For one thing, they preach one thing but practice another. They are such hypocrites that they even “brand” their own consciences by their willful disobedience to God’s Word! They read the Word but explain it away through their self-serving lies. They teach a false piety—namely, asceticism, that is, abstaining from marriage and certain foods. There are some so-called “Christian” groups that have never studied Colossians 2 to discover that bodily disciplines do not automatically advance spiritual life.

B. The answer (1 Timothy 4:4–6).

1 Timothy 4:4–6 (NLT)

4 Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks.

5 For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.

6 If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed.

1- “The Word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:5) settle the matter.

a. God, in His Word, has declared that all foods are clean (Gen. 1:29–31; 9:3; Mark 7:14–23; 1 Cor. 10:23–26; Acts 10); and through prayer, the Christian thanks God and dedicates the food to His glory (1 Cor. 10:31).

The pastor must teach these things to his people, nourishing them and himself on “healthy” (sound) doctrine; see notes on 1:10. A good minister will feed on the Word that he might be able to feed others.

II. A Godly Minister: Practicing the Word (1 Timothy 4:7–12)

1 Timothy 4:7–12 (NLT)

7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly.

8 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”

9 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it.

10 This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.

11 Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them.

12 Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

A- Practicing the Word of God involves discipline. (1 Timothy 4:7-8)

1 Timothy 4:7–8 (NLT)

7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly.

8 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”

B- Practicing the Word of God includes teaching others to follow Christ. (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

1 Timothy 4:9–11 (NLT)

9 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it.

10 This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.

11 Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them.

C- Practicing the Word of God involves living out a positive example of godliness. (1 Timothy 4:12)

1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT)

12 Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

Just as “healthy” doctrine will promote spiritual health, so the foolish and silly myths of false teachers will produce spiritual sickness. Spiritual food and spiritual exercise are a happy combination! It is suggested that Timothy was leaning toward asceticism, the disciplining of the body; and that Paul is here teaching him to emphasize spiritual disciplines and exercises more than physical. If some Christians would put as much energy and enthusiasm into spiritual things as they do athletics and body-building, how much stronger they and their churches would be! “Bodily exercise profits for a little time,” Paul admits, “but spiritual exercise—practicing the Word of God—is profitable for this life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4: 8). See Heb. 4:14.

The Christian, and especially the pastor, must practice the Word of God and be known for godliness (godlikeness). This may mean carrying burdens and bearing suffering (v. 10), but it is worth it. Even young people can be examples of the faith, as Paul admonishes in v. 12: in word, in behavior (conversation), in love, in spirit (enthusiasm), in faith (faithfulness), and purity.

III. The Growing Minister: Progressing in the Word (1 Timothy 4:13–16)

1 Timothy 4:13–16 (NLT)

13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.

14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.

15 Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress.

16 Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.

“That your progress [pioneer advance] may be evident to all” (NKJV) is the goal Paul sets in v. 15. A growing pastor will produce a growing church, for a man cannot lead others where he has not been himself. How could Timothy, or any believer, for that matter, make progress in the Christian life?

A. The Word of God. (1 Timothy 4:13)

1 Timothy 4:13 (NLT)

13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.

“focus on reading the Scriptures ” (v. 13), that is, the public reading of the Word of God in the assembly. Of course, the Word should be explained and applied. It is not enough just to know the facts of the Word; believers must know the doctrines of the Word.

1- The man of God should lead believers to focus on the Word of God and its application to life.

B. Spiritual gifts. (1 Timothy 4:14)

1 Timothy 4:14 (NLT)

14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.

1- Every Christian has some spiritual gift (Rom. 12:3–8; 1 Cor. 12), and far too often these gifts are neglected instead of exercised by faith.

2- When the elders (presbytery) ordained young Timothy, assisted by Paul (2 Tim. 1:6), God gave Timothy some spiritual gifts to equip him for his ministry. But he had been neglecting these gifts and needed to stir them up in the way that a dying fire has to be stoked. Spiritually speaking, what we do not use, we lose; see Heb. 2:1–3.

C. Dedication. (1 Timothy 4:15)

1 Timothy 4:15 (NLT)

15 Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress.

1- The original Gk. in v. 15 reads “Give your complete attention to these matters” In other words, give yourself to them completely, with no compromise or distraction. Certainly meditation is a part of this, but Paul’s commands are much broader. The Christian who is listless about spiritual matters will never make progress.

D. Examination. (1 Timothy 4:16)

1 Timothy 4:16 (NLT)

16 Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.

1- “Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching” comes first.

a- Examine yourself, find out where you are spiritually and where you are going. “The unexamined life is not worth living,” said the ancient philosopher Socrates. It is easy to correct doctrine, but much more challenging to live the doctrine. We will never save others if we lose our own spiritual power.

2- As you review these verses, you can see that Paul expected Timothy to build the church on the Word—to preach it, teach it, and practice it. The Word was to be his personal food and guide, as well as the food for the church. The pastor who spends time in the Word and in prayer will grow himself and will pastor a growing church.

a- We might conclude by asking, “How can the church member help his pastor grow?”

One of the best ways is to protect his time, so that he has opportunity to study and pray. Every pastor wants to be available when there is a need, but no pastor can afford to waste time on trivial matters.

Another way is to pray for him daily.

A third suggestion is to pay attention when he preaches. What blessing it is to preach to people who want to listen! How discouraged a pastor can become when church members do not apply themselves to follow the messages from the Word.

Finally, the church should provide the means needed to build the work of the church. This means faithful stewardship, bringing tithes and offerings to the Lord. Many a godly pastor cannot accomplish what God wants done because the church is in debt or has a poor financial history. Also, if the church doesn’t pay the pastor a living wage, it adds to his burdens and can hinder the work.