Tuesday, March 27, 2012

First Timothy Chapter 4 - Personal Instructions For Timothy


From the New International Version of the Bible, First Timothy 4:1-5
The Spirit Clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
Commentary

In chapter 4 Paul begins to lay out a set of personal instructions and advice to Timothy about how he should carry out his ministry in Ephesus. Expanding on his earlier comments in chapter one about false teachers, Paul tells Timothy that the Holy Spirit made it quite clear to him that false teachers would come. They would abandon the faith to serve the doctrines taught by demons. He called them hypocritical liars with consciences that had become useless due to prolonged abuse. He particularly attacked those that taught various forms of asceticism as a means of salvation. Allegedly, abstention from marriage or certain foods would make you holier. The material world with it's various customs and diets were supposedly evil and had to be shunned. About this, Paul said nothing could be further from the truth.

The real facts were that God had created these things as gifts for us to accept from Him. They were to be received in thanks to Him and to be enjoyed in the way intended. They were most definitely not to be rejected as evil. Everything that God created is good. It's only our misuse, abuse or rejection of them that could make them evil.

Questions

  1. In verse 1, how did Paul say he got this information about people abandoning the faith?
  2. In verse 2 Paul talks about false teachers, calling them hypocritical liars with consciences seared as with a hot iron. What does this mean? Is it possible for a person to lose his or her conscience? How do you suppose they got into that state?
  3. In verse 3 Paul talks about two specific false doctrines of a legalistic nature that Timothy had to deal with; they involved abstention from marriage and certain foods. When does abstention from something become dishonorable to God? What is the difference between these practices and taking part in certain spiritual disciplines like fasting, meditation and silence?
  4. By saying that marriage and certain foods were intrinsically evil, what were the false teachers saying about God?
  5. Instead, how should these things be accepted by a Christian?
  6. Does this mean that evil cannot come from these good things?
  7. What are some things that you consider to be gifts from God and for which you are thankful?   
From the New International Version of the Bible, First Timothy 4:6-10
If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales; rather train yourself to be godly. 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.
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 men, and especially of those who believe.
Commentary

So now Paul tells Timothy how to address the false teacher issue with the church in Ephesus and also how to prove himself as a worthy pastor. The process would be simple. Timothy would point out to the congregation the things that Paul just mentioned in a calm, but firm way. He would reaffirm the truth first taught by Paul in Ephesus years ago, and thus prove his worth as God's minister. Further, neither Timothy or the church should have anything to do with the myths and old wives tales that were being promoted by these false teachers. It was far more important to simply train yourself to be godly. Self discipline to focus on God's purposes is far more valuable than self denial. And while physical training has some value, spiritual training has worth that goes beyond this life and into the next. Spiritual health requires spiritual exercise like regular Bible reading and prayer. The more a Christian knows about God's word and the more a Christian prays, the better off he will be spiritually. He will be a lot less likely to fall under the sway of a false teacher and much less likely to accept their myths and superstitions. The true spiritual athlete puts his hope and trust in God, thus assuring himself of his own salvation.

Questions

  1. Paul told Timothy to point out the facts about these false teachers to the Ephesian church. How do you think he did that without offending or upsetting some people?
  2. How can we point out scriptural truths to our worldly friends and errant Christians without becoming defensive or making them mad?
  3. Paul advised Timothy to avoid myths and old wives tales and instead focus on godliness. Can you think of any superstitions or old wives tales that are popular today?
  4. Why should Christians avoid superstitions entirely?
  5. How do you train spiritually?
  6. How is it different from what the false teachers were advocating in Ephesus?
  7. Do you know people that call themselves Christians, but reject parts of God's word? Offer some examples of what they reject and what their reasons are?

First Timothy 4:11-16 from the New International Version of the Bible 
Command and teach these things. Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, 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.
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Commentary

Paul now gives specific and precise instruction for Timothy to stand his ground against the false teachers, all the while maintaining his Christian walk as a leader and as a man. A show of confidence backed by the scriptures and his way of life should be enough to do this. He should not let them use his youth against him and he should not feel obliged to yield to them simply because they are older. Even older people can be wrong. No church agenda should be allowed that is not in line with God's word. Paul tells him it would also be wise to immerse himself in Christian study and practice and not to neglect the gifts given him by God.

Questions

  1. Timothy was commanded to pass on the information Paul was giving him, even in the face of opposition and objections from those that thought he was too young and inexperienced to be doing so. Should a preacher's age ever be an issue?
  2. Timothy was to set an example for the church in speech, life, love, faith and purity. Does this mean there is a higher standard of behavior for preachers?
  3. What do you think Timothy's gift was?
  4. How does watching your life and doctrine save you?