1 Timothy 4:6-13

Last week, we Paul shared Spiritual Truths and how the assembly of believers, the church, are very much the torch bearers of truth...we are the pillar and ground of the truth..the truth found in Christ Jesus. And, in contrast we live in the latter times where apostate Christians depart from the faith being seduced by deceiving spirits and teaching the doctrines of demons. Paul warned Timothy of these apostates, as they would be people he would encounter in Ephesus, and they will be people we encounter on our ministry ground as well. Paul now, beginning in 1 Tim 4:6, shifts, in this epistle to Timothy, giving him additional instructions, very practical thoughts about conduct in ministry. Let's Pray! Read 1 Tim 4:6-13 Verse 6 "If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed." 1. Timothy is told he will be a good minister of Jesus Chris if he instructs the brethren in these things... 1. These things refers back to what we looked at last week... 2. Timothy is to be that pillar and ground of the truth, to share sound doctrine to others (like the 6 lines we read at the end of Chapter 3) and to warn against apostasy and false doctrines of demons...and to confront those teaching these twisted teachings. 3. If Timothy points these things out to the brethren he will be a good minister. 1. The brethren are the fellow believers in a figurative sense, but the word adelphos in Greek lit. means "from the same womb" and while we may not have the same physical parents, we have the same spiritual Father God...and many people find their spiritual family to be as close as, if not closer, than the family they were physically born into. 4. The word minister is not the same as the title "minister" today, which is often an alternative for Pastor. Minister in Greek is diakonos which is translated "servant" and is where the word "deacon" comes from. 1. Part of being a good servant is instructing other believers. Instruction suggests "to put into one's mind" or to "put into remembrance." 2. I will never profess to you to be the best at all things, but I will promise to you that I will serve well in instruction of his word by the simple teaching of the truths we find in His word. 2. And, Paul tells Timothy that to be a good minister, he himself had to be "nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed." 1. In order to feed, he had to be fed. He would be a conduit of God's truths if he was taking in those truths. The words, "nourished up" are a present participle indicating a continuous action. 2. I like the NASB rendering of verse 1, "In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following." 3. If you are not taking time to constantly nourish yourself in the words of faith and good teachings, you will struggle in being a good minister or a good servant of Jesus Christ. 1. The "words of faith" are the Christian truths found in the Word of God and "Good doctrine" is good teaching, as opposed to the Doctrines of Demons we spoke of last week. 2. So, what does this look like? How do you get into a routine of spiritual nourishment? 3. How do you physically nourish yourself? On a daily basis you eat food and drink water. 4. So, do the same spiritually. Partake in the word of God, eat it, consume it, take it in and let it nourish your soul. Be disciplined to read God's word, to listen to sermons or read a good commentary...this may vary from person to person, but somehow read and get good explanation...however you can take it in, do it. 5. It's interesting how the Bible uses physical words we easily relate to, like nourish, eat, and drink to represent spiritual sustenance. 6. A good example is in John 4, when Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well... He spoke to her about living water, and by drinking of that living water she would never thirst again. She would be nourished spiritually by the Holy Spirit. His disciples came to Him after she left and said, "Rabbi, eat." He responded, "I have food to eat of which you do not know." In ministry, Jesus was nourished spiritually. He felt fed and fulfilled by the spiritual success He just encountered with the Samaritan woman. 7. Have you ever experienced such a God moment, a divine and life-giving spiritual appointment with someone? You have a God ordained conversation that just leaves you amazed. Physical hunger is gone in that moment...you feel so connected to the source that you are sustained both physically and spiritually. 8. So, if you are in ministry, make sure you are feeding yourself in order to be an effective minister to others. Nourish yourself spiritually. 3. And, at the end of this verse, notice Paul say that Timothy "carefully followed" nourishing himself spiritually. These words are in the Perfect tense indicating the action is complete, but has an ongoing state of being. Timothy had constantly nourished himself on the word of God, and sound teachings in the word and good doctrine, but it's assumed he also had to continue this action in the present to uphold his status as a good minister. continue to verse 7 1 Tim 4:7 "But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness." 1. Reject Profane and old wives' fables... 1. What's Paul talking about here? 1. If you pull out a grey hair, two more will appear in it's place. 2. Cracking your knuckles will give you arthritis. 3. If your ears are ringing, somebody is talking about you. 4. Are these the kinds of old wives' fables Paul is talking about? 5. Actually, kind of yes...perhaps not these specifically...well except for maybe the one about ears ringing since that may have dated back to the Roman philosopher Pliny the Elder. 6. More likely, Paul is warning about tall tales of religious superstition. 1. Randomly open your Bible and the first verse you read is God's will. 2. If you bury a statue of St. Joseph upside-down in your yard you will sell your house. 3. Hanging a rosary from your rearview mirror will ward off accidents. 2. Paul instructs to reject, or have nothing to do with, profane (or godless) mythos/fables/tales...a superstition or an uneducated opinion. 3. Paul instructed Titus to not give heed to "Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth." Tit 1:14 So, ladies see...Paul is being fair and balanced...it was not just old wives' tales, but also men who turned from the truth that these Pastors had to be weary of. 1. Truly though, "old wives tales" really has nothing to do with gender, it's just an idiom for superstitions. 4. I don't think Paul is instructing Timothy from simply rejecting silly sayings, but moreso reject speculations about spiritual matters that are profane or ungodly. In Chapter 1 Paul instructed Timothy to "charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes..." and he continues "...some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk..." 1. Not necessarily anti-Jesus theology, but more an emphasis on things that distracted them from Jesus...fruitless discussions...the vain words of man. 1. I'm not a big book guy, except for the book, the Bible, and books that help me understand the Bible. There are a lot of great books out there from Christian authors, but I would caution you to choose wisely, because there is a lot of trash out there as well. And, there are a lot of people spending all there reading time on the next Christian fad book, versus the word of God. 2. So, Timothy, avoid such things, and in contrast... 2. "...exercise yourself toward godliness." 1. In verses 6-8, Paul uses athletic illustrations. In the previous verse Paul spoke about being nourished, important for an athlete and in the next two verses, Paul references exercise. 2. In Ephesus, and the Roman culture at large, athletics and the Olympic Games were very prominent. 1. Paul borrows from various events and incorporates them as illustrations. One of my favorites... 2. 2 Tim 4:7-8 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness..." 1. The fight, the race, and the crown/the stephanos or Victor's Wreath...were all athletic illustrations. 3. Exercise gumnazō (gymnazo) is where we get our english word "gymnastics" (how appropriate since we are meeting in a gymnastics gym). And, many expositors feel that Paul's illustration here is specifically referencing gymnastic exercise which does indeed trace back to ancient Greece. 1. This word lit. means "to exercise or train naked," which I don't recommend, but it was common practice for young men in Greek and Roman cultures to exercise and compete in the buff. I'm very much appreciate and prefer watching the Olympics and Football with clothed athletes. Anyhow, for our purposes, the idea behind this word is vigorous exercise or being disciplined. 2. So, how does one exercise themselves toward godliness? 1. Well, similar to the previous verse, you consistently nourish yourself in the word of God and good teachings. 2. Exercise, even spiritual exercise, requires training and discipline. Timothy was not going to achieve godliness by sitting on his butt and watching television, he had to train. 3. Paul is not just suggesting for Timothy to "exercise"...this word is an imperative or a command. Paul is telling Timothy to exercise toward godliness. 4. And I like how Paul write, "toward godliness." There is direction...the training has an end goal... Timothy is to train heading towards the goal of godliness or piety/reverence towards God. 5. Solid advice for us all. continue to verse 8-9 1 Tim 4:8-9 "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance." 1. "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things..." 1. This is my personal proof text why I don't need to exercise! haha 2. No, that is not what Paul is saying, nor is it a good justification not to exercise. 3. With this verse, and last week when we discussed verse 4 about food and "nothing is to be refused..." these are not verses saying eat anything you want and don't exercise...it's not a justification to disregard the medical advise of your Dr. or to have poor health practices. 4. Paul is using illustrations here, and in this verse the big idea is there is value in physical exercise, but more value in spiritual disciplines. Keep in mind, no matter how fit you are, no matter how buff you become, time will eventually catch up to your body, but the soul and the spirit are eternal, thus exercise unto godliness has more value. 5. Exercise in this verse is gumnasia, where we get our english word gymnasium, and means the exercise of the body. Bodily exercise is profitable for a little while. 1. The average life expectancy in the U.S. is about 78 years...Life is short compared to eternity. 2. James 4:14 "For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." 6. But, eternity is forever, and when Paul says "godliness is profitable for all things," the idea is training for godliness or spiritual discipline is "for always." Physical training has limited benefit, but spiritual discipline is beneficial in every way. 2. And, there is a promise... "having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come." 1. Unlike physical exercise which is only beneficial in this lifetime, exercise unto godliness or god-likeness is profitable in this lifetime, and profitable into eternity. 2. Life as seen through the lens of God means a person has accepted Jesus and is saved. The saved person has life now and life eternally. It's a promise. 3. Life now does not ensure we will be rich, free from trials or troubles, or even persecutions. Jesus said, "In this world you will have tribulation..." Jn 16:33, but do you remember what He said just prior? "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace." 4. Spiritual life now is a promise of peace knowing Jesus overcame the world and eternity awaits us. Spiritual life now is the confidence that no matter what life throws at you, the believer can rest in "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding." Php 4:7 5. Spiritual life is not just being at peace with God knowing we are saved; but it is also the peace of God which is peace that defies the logic of the world. When the world panics, the believer can trust in the promises of God. 3. Spiritual discipline profits now and into eternity and to a greater degree and hold a promise of this profit now and into eternity... "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance." 1. This is the 3rd of 5 "faithful sayings" and looks back to verse 8. continue to verses 10-11 1 Tim 4:10-11 "For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 11 These things command and teach." 1. "For to this end..." The end goal is what is spoke of in verse 8. A life of godliness. 2. To achieve this goal, Paul says "...we both labor and suffer reproach..." 1. Labor is defined "to labor to the point of exhaustion" 2. Suffer reproach "suffering defamation, taunting, reviling" 1. Some manuscripts differ and use the word agōnizometha where we get our word "agony" and this word is a Greek athletic term speaking to the agony and striving an athlete has in their training and competing. 3. Paul indeed experienced this labor on his three missionary journeys, his journey to Rome, his travels by foot, boat, and animal. He both suffered reproach and agonized in his service... 4. 2 Cor 11:23-28: "Are they ministers of Christ?-I speak as a fool-I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness-28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches." 5. Paul knew suffering and labor for the end goal of godliness...and look at what Paul says about laboring and suffering reproach... 3. Verse 10. Why do we labor to this end? "...because we trust in the living God..." 1. We trust in the living God...we have put our hope in the living God... 2. The struggle in this life may be real, but our hope is set upon something far greater than ourselves, far greater than our economy, greater than our job, our finances, our health...our hope is in the living God. This is why Paul can muster on, why he can be diligent about his spiritual disciplines. 3. Wuest points out that the word "trust" or "hope" is in the perfect tense. "Literally, "we have set our hope upon with the present result that it is a settled hope." It's an action with continuing results. 4. The object of our trust is the living God, "who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe." 1. God so loved the world, that He sent His son...Jesus is freely available to look upon in belief for all people. 2. This is not to say that all people are saved, this is not teaching Universalism, rather there is only one means of salvation...faith in Jesus Christ....and God has provided the means of salvation to all people. 3. "especially those who believe" indicates that while salvation is available to all, it is only granted to this select group...believers. 4. Guzik states, "Jesus' work is adequate to save all, but only effective in saving those who come to Him by faith." 5. MacDonald states, "He is the potential Savior of all men and the actual Savior of those who believe." 6. "Savior to all men" may have also been Paul coming against the false idolatry of Caesar who commanded people to call him "savior of the world." There is the truth, and there is a counterfeit. 5. Paul ends this segment to Timothy with 2 imperatives or commands... "These things command and teach." 1. Likely, looking back to all the things we have talked about today...verses 6-10...these things Timothy, I command you, constantly command and teach the people these things. 2. And, if Paul is looking forward to verses 12-16, these are also good things for Timothy to command and teach. continue to verse 12 1 Tim 4:12 "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity." 1. In Chapter 1, Paul instructed Timothy to "remain in Ephesus" and I think we have some insights here in verse 12 of maybe why Timothy wanted to depart. We know Ephesus was a difficult assignment- a town that was worldly and dedicated to idolatry of the goddess Diana, but also Timothy was being pushed around, from within the church as well, because of his age. 1. When Paul says, "Let no one despise your youth," it's the same today as us saying "Stop letting people push you around." 2. The word "despise" in this verse means "to think little of," but it's deeper than thought, this was a contempt that stretched into action. 3. Wuest says of the word "despise" that this "verb is a present imperative in a prohibition, forbidding the continuance of an action already going on. Timothy was being despised. Paul means, "Assert the dignity of your office even though men may think you young to hold it. Let no one push you aside as a boy." 4. Youth in the 1st century and culturally was not the same as we think of "youth" today. Today, when I say youth, personally I think of someone in their teens or younger. The United Nations definition of a youth is between the ages of 15-24. But, in the 1st Century the age of Youth extended up to the 40th year. 5. Wuest wrote "Forty is reckoned old for a captain in the army, young for a bishop, and very young for a prime minister." 6. Timothy, was thought to be 30-35 at the time of this epistle; and was in leadership, which was rather atypical in this culture. Elders were usually elder. 7. So, it was important that he gave no one an occasion to look down upon him for poor character. He was to live above reproach or to exercise his life in godliness. The Bishop, in Chapter 3 verse 2 was to be blameless "nothing to take hold upon." People were speaking poorly about Timothy being in leadership, and you can't help accusations, but don't give the accuser good ground to stand on. 2. So, how does Timothy do this? How does he stop allowing church members to think less of him. 1. Paul spoke in the negative in the previous verse and now will shift into commands framed in the positive. "Be an example to believers in word...be an example in conduct...be an example in love...in spirit...in purity." 2. "Be" means to "come into being" or "become"...and this word is in the present tense...again a continual action. 3. Timothy is to "Be an example" which suggests he is to continually make an impression on fellow believers; he is to be an example to be imitated. Example is the greek word tupos and means "to strike a blow" which carries that idea, from an ethical sense, that Timothy is to make an impression. Earlier, we sang the kids song, "Set an example for the believers, which comes from these verses." Timothy is to make an impression in six ways (a good cross reference is Titus 2:7-8 where Paul provides similar instruction). So, six examples for the believers. 1. In Word- Timothy is to be an example not just in public teaching, instruction, but also in conversations. In word refers to what you say...your speech. 1. Col 4:6 "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one." 2. What's coming out of your mouth? Is it gracious...is it a good witness? Does your speech drive people towards God because it's purifying like salt, it's flavorful like salt? Or, is it just rotten? Jesus said, "...out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." 3. You know what really bothers me? Pet peeve...foul language...especially course jesting. I actually confront people when they are cussing up a storm in public or listening to vulgar music. My wife really loves it, and she has some stories she could tell. And, it's like I'm a magnet when I enter public...I don't know what it is...ignorant people just find me. And, I kind of get it when a person acts like that and they are not saved...I was terrible when I was a teen and in my college years, but c'mon...if you are saved what gives? Eph 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths..." Why do you think it's ok to talk like a sailor? I used to cuss like the best of them, but that was the old man. And, to a degree it's still there, just much deeper...I really have to get riled up for my mind to go there...and I'm working through this. I'm not the man I used to be, and I'm not quite the man I want to be. But look, we are all in a process and His mercies are new every morning. 4. Don't let your speech compromise your witness. 2. In Conduct- this is what you do, your behavior or manner of life or walk. Your Christian walk should be an example. 1. I try my best to have good behavior...and if it weren't for other people, I'd be perfect. But, I got angry once, July 17, 2011. 2. But, look, it's important for us to have good conduct. People watch us. The world, especially non-believers watch, and just love to talk bad about Christians when we make a mistake. 3. You know who else is watching. Our kids, and they know when we are being a hypocrite. "Didn't Dad just tell us the Bible says Husbands love your wives? So, why are Mom and Dad arguing?" 4. "Dad preaches 'love your enemy,' but it looks like he is about to slug that guy." It's called tough love kids. 5. And, sometimes, it's not even what we say, but it's how we say it. I was taught in college 65% of a message is conveyed non-verbally. One Psychologist has a 7%-38%-55% Rule for personal communication. 7% spoken words; 38% voice, tone, 55% body language. 6. For example, my wife asks me, "Babe...Do you want to go...and it's like time slows down...in my head her voice sounds half-speed...I know she is going to ask me to go out somewhere...in public...where those ignorant people are going to find me...my chest tightens...I feel my eyes rolling back in my head...and she asks, "Do you want to go to the store with me." And, I hesitate...ummm...I'm sure I look just like Napoleon Dynamite...and the internal conflict begins... "you know you should go"...and the baby in me cries, "but I don't want to go"...and then I say, "yes." And, I'm sure she is overwhelmed by my quick timing to respond and enthusiastic willingness. 7. We are all a work in progress. Our conduct. 3. In Love- This is agape love. Charity. Agape is a reflection of who God is and what He produces in us. As the Apostle of Love, John, wrote, "He who does not love does not know God, for God is love." 1 John 4:8 and again in verse 16 "...God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God..." Timothy's speech and his behavior would be a good example if his centered on love, which is to be centered on God. 4. In Spirit- depending on what Bible version you are using, you may not have "in spirit." The majority texts include this word though. This is the same word used for the Holy Spirit or the spirit inside us, and scholars render this idea either that Timothy is to set an example in attitude or enthusiasm. 5. In Faith- this can be defined as "fidelity or faithfulness or belief..." Timothy is to set an example in all these ways. His inward life of faith will show an outward expression in his Christian beliefs and his faithfulness in leading. 6. In Purity-This speaks of Timothy's moral character, and is defined "sinlessness of life." In 2 Tim 2:22 Paul commands, "Flee also youthful lusts, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." Many good Christian leaders have fallen from the "lust of the flesh." How important is it for a leader to be pure in their public and private lives in order to be a good husband and a good example for other believers. And, Timothy was single and in Ephesus, a town known for temple prostitution. Timothy was not to give attention to the worldly things of Ephesus, but notice where he is to focus...next verse. continue to verse 13 1 Tim 4:13 "Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." 1. Paul gives Timothy additional personal instructions in verse 13, now all centered on being in God's word...he is to be nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine, as we saw in verse 6. 2. "Till I come..." woven into many of Paul's epistles are his longing words to commune with his close friends, his Christian family. 3. Give attention... another continuous command or present imperative for Timothy to continuously keep his mind on or concentrate on reading, exhortation, and doctrine. 1. Reading is defined as "knowing" and this word in Greek typically is used of public reading. Timothy was to read God's word to the church...the assembly of believers. Many bible translations translate this verse as "public readings of scripture." 2. He was to give attention to Exhortation to encouraging the believers. Exhortation is one of the spiritual gifts listed in Romans 12, and is closely tied to the very nature of the Holy Spirit, the comforter. 1. Encouragement can take many forms. I am often encouraged by the reading of the word of God. From reading comes understanding and application and encouragement. 2. We also encourage one another in our fellowship our koinonia. When times our tough, we encourage one another being the hands and feet of Christ to one another. We talk, we listen, we pray for one another, and help each other. I'm encouraged when I see someone exercise a gift that I don't have and moving us forward as a church body. What drains me and where I am lacking, you may have strength. Timothy was to exercise love in an encouraging fashion to other believers. 3. Heb 10:24-25 "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." 1. It's so nice to be back in an assembly and not on zoom calls because of covid-19. When we assemble, we can be much more effective to to thinks of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 3. Finally, Timothy was to concentrate on doctrine or teaching. 4. Paul commands Timothy to continuously concentrate on reading God's word publically to the church, to encourage the believers, and to teach them sound doctrine. 5. I hope that you are personally seeing application in your life as I am reading this. Just imagine this letter from the Holy Spirit to you. Very much this is a letter from God to you, to me, to all believers. Solid instructions for how we are to conduct our lives. 6. And, as a church, verses like these define our D.N.A. who were are as a church and what is important. We are a teaching church. We will be known for our reading God's word publically, exhorting one another, and teaching God's word. And, we are going to wrap up there and pick up in verse 14 next week. But, look as we are committed to these things...to the exercise of our spiritual health...it won't matter what life throws our way. If we nourish ourselves in reading God's word and solid doctrine and building one another up, not only will we be a healthy body, able to withstand the storms of life, but we will also be a good witness in the world. And, this work, this labor of spiritual fitness it's profitable and it's life giving, both now and into eternity...that's a promise, we can pull from what we looked at today. And, why do we labor, why do we suffer reproach? Because we trust in the living God. Our hope is in the living God. Let's Pray!