1 Timothy 4 A Warning against Apostasy
1 Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, 2 influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.
3 They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected, 5 because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
Here Paul is obliquely referring to various religious and philosophical sects that are active and whose teachings Timothy must oppose. As a cultural crossroads and the fourth largest city in the Roman Empire, Ephesus welcomes all comers, some of whom harbor weird beliefs. Many of these people will try to pervert the Gospel. Some of the cultds are worshiping angels or demons. Others have all kinds of dietary restrictions. Even others forbid marriage and have a long list of do’s and don’ts. What must Timothy do to counter such attacks?
A Good Servant of Jesus Christ
6 By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed.
7 But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness. 8 For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance.
10 To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe. 11 Command and teach these things.
“Train yourself for godliness…” This is not only advice for Timothy but a command for every believer. How should we train ourselves to live godly lives? First, we must study God’s Word, recognizing that it should be our guidebook for all our actions. We must also encourage all those around us to study God’s Word as well, for first-hand information is far more effective than second-hand. Second, we must pray, asking God to help us remain faithful and true to His calling. Third, we must ensure that our actions match our beliefs. In a letter to the Galatians, Paul will write that the fruits of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When we live godly lives, we will demonstrate all these qualities, not merely the ones easiest for us. And we must teach these things to those around us, not keeping this knowledge to ourselves.
Sometimes it’s tempting to cruise along observing godly principals in one’s own life while leaving others alone in the name of tolerance. But we must be willing to speak out when we see wrong things being done, although we can speak in love employing moderate speech. The late Charlie Kirk was a sterling example of someone who made excellent points while demonstrating respect for those who disagreed with him.
12 Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching.
Why does Paul counsel Timothy on the matter of Timothy’s youth? Timothy is working in a society where age is respected and young leaders might not be respected. But God has chosen Timothy to lead the Ephesian church, so Timothy should go forward, trusting that the same God who has called him will also give him the courage, the wisdom, the grace, and the ability to lead effectively.
These days, we have the opposite problem, for in many cultures, the aged are now being shoved aside, their voices stopped. Santayana is quoted as having said that “Those who will not learn from hjstory are doomed to repeat its mistakes.” How can we learn from history if we are unwilling to listen to those who have lived it?
Years ago, my husband was taking an American history course at a local college. When the professor returned test papers, one teen-aged member of the class had gotten a poor grade while my husband had done quite well. “This isn’t fair!” exclaimed the teen to my husband. “What do you mean, this isn’t fair?” my husband replied. “For me, this is history and for you it’s current events!” exclaimed the sullen teenager. Ageism cuts both ways, and despising anyone for their youth or their age cuts us off from the information we might gain from them.
14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders. 15 Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Years ago, we were privileged to receive three months of training at a Youth With a Mission Crossroads Discipleship Training program. One of the main points emphasized by many speakers was for us to keep the main thing the main thing. No matter the nature of one’s ministry, it is easy to become so enmeshed in the demands of that ministry that one fails to concentrate on God and becomes totally engulfed in the needs around him/her instead.
We have spent decades serving medical needs in rural northeastern Ghana where few health workers choose to go. We have faced staffing shortages, financial crises, and the ever-increasing needs of a burgeoning population. Under such circumstances, it is quite easy to become so overwhelmed with the immediate needs that we lose sight of the need to share the Gospel with those around us.
While Paul is advising Timothy not to allow people to despise him because he is young, ageism works both ways. In our case, both of us are past the standard age of retirement, so our problem is the reverse of Timothy’s. Timothy was concerned because some people might scorn him for being too young; we, on the other hand, might be scorned for being too old. But here’s the secret: God is not worried about our ages; He is most concerned that we remain faithful, no matter the trials. Whether young or old, believers must follow hard after Jesus, not looking to external problems but being willing to flex and change, depending on God’s leading. And whether young or old, we must continue to keep the main thing the main thing.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives, staying close to You and allowing You to guide us as You wish. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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