Bible Diary - 1 Timothy 5:9-16
February 29, 2008
What are the underlying truths behind Paul’s advice to Timothy about widows in the church? The realities of life for Timothy under Roman rule differ in many ways from what we experience, but the Bible teachs that truth is eternal, unaffected by current circumstances. It helps me to remember that Paul wrote this letter primarily about the ordering of life in the local congregation, in this case the one at Ephesus under Timothy’s care.
Caring for widows
5:9 No widow should be put on the list unless she is at least sixty years old, was the wife of one husband, 5:10 and has a reputation for good works: as one who has raised children, practiced hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, helped those in distress – as one who has exhibited all kinds of good works. 5:11 But do not accept younger widows on the list, because their passions may lead them away from Christ and they will desire to marry, 5:12 and so incur judgment for breaking their former pledge. 5:13 And besides that, going around from house to house they learn to be lazy, and they are not only lazy, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things they should not. 5:14 So I want younger women to marry, raise children, and manage a household, in order to give the adversary no opportunity to vilify us. 5:15 For some have already wandered away to follow Satan. 5:16 If a believing woman has widows in her family, let her help them. The church should not be burdened, so that it may help the widows who are truly in need.
Paul had already established that the church was to provide care and support for anyone unable to support themselves. Widows in that day had no support system except for their families and the church. No Wal-mart to give them a job. Recognizing that not all widows have equal claim on the church for support, Paul offers Timothy a plan that protects the resources of the congregation while meeting real needs of the widows.
To me, some underlying principles are:
- Jesus’ command to love one another within the church includes caring for all who are in physical need,
- The commandment to honor father and mother is still in force,
- Godly leadership must be systematic and fair.
I suggest that these letters of Paul to Timothy are not so much about the particulars of the situation as they are about leadership in the church. Paul is not so much teaching today’s readers about how to care for widows as he is teaching how to lead the congregation as part of the body of Christ on earth.
Dave, trying to follow truth, wherever it leads.
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Bible Diary - 1 Timothy 5:1-8
February 28, 2008
A young pastor has his work cut out for him. Paul recognized this and offered some guidance for young Timothy, who was left in charge of the church at Ephesus when Paul moved on. I think of a young pastor I served with in the 1970s. I suspect he was quite familiar with this passage in his relationships with the older members of the congregation, because I don’t remember any serious dust-ups due to the age gap. Here, Timothy is admonished to deal with the brothers and sisters in his church flock “with complete purity.”
Youthful leadership in the church
5:1 Do not address an older man harshly but appeal to him as a father. Speak to younger men as brothers, 5:2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters – with complete purity.
5:3 Honor widows who are truly in need. 5:4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to fulfill their duty toward their own household and so repay their parents what is owed them. For this is what pleases God. 5:5 But the widow who is truly in need, and completely on her own, has set her hope on God and continues in her pleas and prayers night and day. 5:6 But the one who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 5:7 Reinforce these commands, so that they will be beyond reproach. 5:8 But if someone does not provide for his own, especially his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
A pure heart, I believe, is devoid of selfishness, hidden agendas, and malice of any kind. To others we ideally should be transparent in our motives and goals. Because I wasn’t born that way (a gross understatement), progress toward the goal of purity is bumpy and long, ending only when I go home to be with the Lord. The Lord has promised his children that the goal of purity of heart will be accomplished in them.
As for the widows in the church family, the congregation must provide for their needs if they have no support from their children or grandchildren. Applying that rule to Timothy’s flock was probably not too difficult.
What about today? The rule still stands, but our welfare state has ignored the role of the church in caring for widows in particular and the elderly in general. The responsibility in the church today becomes being sure that no one in need “falls through the cracks” of our flawed governmental safety net. In Timothy’s church it was either the church or starvation. In today’s church it is easy to be unaware of gaps between governmental and familial care. It is made even harder by the fact that in our society mom and dad often live separately from their children. The principle to love and to serve each other within the body of believers remains.
Dave, getting a little preachy this morning.
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Bible Diary - 1 Timothy 4:1-16
February 27, 2008
Today we, like Timothy, are living in the “later times.” I understand that this period will continue until history as we know it comes to an end with the promised return of Christ and the final judgment. Then, as now, some professing Christians deny the faith by adding special requirements to the gospel, like prohibiting marriage or abstaining from certain foods. Paul deals with the latter by simply saying all food is acceptable if it is received with thanksgiving. Why? Simply because food is part of God’s creation for the benefit of mankind.
Timothy’s Ministry in the Later Times
4:1 Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the later times some will desert the faith and occupy themselves with deceiving spirits and demonic teachings, 4:2 influenced by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared. 4:3 They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4:4 For every creation of God is good and no food is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. 4:5 For it is sanctified by God’s word and by prayer.
4:6 By pointing out such things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, having nourished yourself on the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 4:7 But reject those myths fit only for the godless and gullible, and train yourself for godliness. 4:8 For “physical exercise has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.” 4:9 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. 4:10 In fact this is why we work hard and struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of believers.
4:11 Command and teach these things. 4:12 Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity. 4:13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 4:14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have, given to you and confirmed by prophetic words when the elders laid hands on you. 4:15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress. 4:16 Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach. Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.
Timothy is encouraged to train himself for godliness and not neglect the spiritual gifts he has been given. By so doing he will be able to confront the false teachers confidently and prevent others from being seduced by those “whose consciences are seared.” I also will do well by taking this advice to heart. I understand Paul’s thinking of training for godliness as being much like physical training to compete in a foot race. If the race is worthwhile, let alone eternally important, it deserves serious training.
Like many young men, Timothy may find himself intimidated by older and presumably wiser men. Paul says that if Timothy keeps his eye on the ball and absorbs himself in proclaiming the gospel in both words and the way he lives, he can be confident. Godly wisdom trumps worldly wisdom.
Dave, older but not necessarily wiser.
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Bible Diary - 1 Timothy 3:14-16
February 26, 2008
The English Standard Version of the Bible, which I regard as my “gold standard”, heads this passage “The mystery of godliness.” For this Christian at least, there is still mystery concerning gospel truth. It’s “mysterious” because I live with sufficient but still imperfect understanding of who Jesus is. This doesn’t bother me much, in fact it adds to the excitement of continually learning more of what this Christian life is all about. My mind, my thinking, is being renewed daily by the work of the Holy Spirit within. I just wish I could learn to be more cooperative.
Conduct in God’s Church
3:14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you 3:15 in case I am delayed, to let you know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, because it is the church of the living God, the support and bulwark of the truth. 3:16 And we all agree, our religion contains amazing revelation:
He was revealed in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among Gentiles,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.
The last verse appears to be from a hymn familiar to Paul’s readers. It refers to the incarnation of Jesus Christ (revealed in the flesh), vindication by the Spirit on the cross, seen by angels on his return to heaven, proclaimed to all by the Apostles and the written word, believed through the regenerating power of God, and taken up in glory at the end of time.
Because of the mystery still surrounding these events, the naysayers, not unreasonably, say that this interpretation is no more than a string of unsupported assertions. Well, maybe. The facts regarding Jesus Christ are not in question. Whether the lines of verse 16 are meant to refer directly to Jesus Christ are arguable, but I will leave the argument to others. All I know is that this passage confronts me with the ongoing mystery of faith. The mystery has been partly revealed in Jesus Christ and will be fully revealed in God’s good time.
Dave
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Bible Diary - 1 Timothy 3:1-13
February 25, 2008
One of Paul’s instructions as he left Timothy with the young congregation in Ephesus was to strengthen and endourage the leadership of that church. They had previously selected certain men as overseers (we would say elders) and deacons to shepherd the flock. It’s interesting that there is no mention of a pastor or elder-in-chief. In the franchise of the Christian church to which I belong, the pastor is also referred to as a ruling elder. Anyway, Paul here reminds Timothy of the qualifications for church leadership.
Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons
3:1 This saying is trustworthy: “If someone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work.” 3:2 The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, 3:3 not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money. 3:4 He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity. 3:5 But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for the church of God? 3:6 He must not be a recent convert or he may become arrogant and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact. 3:7 And he must be well thought of by those outside the faith, so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil’s trap.
3:8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not two-faced, not given to excessive drinking, not greedy for gain, 3:9 holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 3:10 And these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless. 3:11 Likewise also their wives must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect. 3:12 Deacons must be husbands of one wife and good managers of their children and their own households. 3:13 For those who have served well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
In the early church, it seems that elders were charged primarily with the spiritual health of the congregation, and the deacons attended to the administrative side of things, especially caring for physical needs. Yet, the qualifications Paul lays down are essentially the same for both offices. As I reflect on my years as deacon and elder in three different congregations and under a half-dozen pastors, I’m afraid that we have consistently failed to take Paul’s qualifications very seriously. In none of these congregations was there any serious effort to train prospective elders and deacons in the requirements of their office, nor was there much consideration given to their spiritual maturity.
Measuring myself against Paul’s standards, I can readily recognize areas where I fall short. Rather than promptly turn in my resignation, I believe the biblical response is to confess my sin and ask for forgiveness. This should lead me to work a little harder to fulfill my tough job description.
I want to rant a little about the role of women in church leadership, but that doesn’t really have a place in a series of lenten reflections. So I won’t.
Dave, just thankful for Paul’s helpful words.
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Bible Diary - 1 Timothy 2:9-15
February 23, 2008
Faced with these words, what’s a man to do? Are Paul’s instructions here regarding women in the church so contaminated by his cultural surroundings that they may be brushed off? I must start with the premise that all Scripture is inspired by God but that some parts of it are more difficult to understand clearly than others. Many within the church today say that men and women should share equally in congregational leadership in subordination to our common Lord.
Conduct of Women
2:9 Likewise the women are to dress in suitable apparel, with modesty and self-control. Their adornment must not be with braided hair and gold or pearls or expensive clothing, 2:10 but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God. 2:11 A woman must learn quietly with all submissiveness. 2:12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man. She must remain quiet. 2:13 For Adam was formed first and then Eve. 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman, because she was fully deceived, fell into transgression. 2:15 But she will be delivered through childbearing, if she continues in faith and love and holiness with self-control.
In this passage, Paul clearly sees different roles for men and women in the church. This cannot be just a culturally inspired vision, because all through the biblical narrative God consistently regards men and women equal as recipients of his grace but with separate roles and responsibilities. The complimentary roles of fathers and mothers in the covenant family is but one example.
Having said that, I note that in vs. 12 Paul says “I do not allow… ,” and not that God commands. This suggests to me that Paul was also speaking to current cultural conditions. Women in that Greco-Roman culture were reportedly much given to self-adornment, and Paul may have thought that this was inconsistent with putting Christ above self.
One final thought. From the days of the Exodus, the people of God functioned as a patriarchal sub-culture within a society undergoing cultural change. Should it not still so function today?
Dave, family patriarch.
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Bible Diary - 1 Timothy 2:1-8
February 22, 2008
Prayer is at the same time instinctual and unnatural. Has there ever existed a person who has never been driven to prayer? Probably not, for as someone observed, “There are no atheists in foxholes.” So it is no particular surprise that Paul has some instruction on prayer for Timothy to pass along to the church in Ephesus. That Paul chooses to urge praying for the hated Roman rulers may come as a surprise, however.
Prayer for All People
2:1 First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people, 2:2 even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 2:3 Such prayer for all is good and welcomed before God our Savior, 2:4 since he wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 2:5 For there is one God and one intermediary between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, himself human, 2:6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, revealing God’s purpose at his appointed time. 2:7 For this I was appointed a preacher and apostle – I am telling the truth; I am not lying – and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 2:8 So I want the men to pray in every place, lifting up holy hands without anger or dispute.
As John Bunyan so famously observed, we Christians are like pilgrims making our uncertain way through a strange land. We are subject to temporal authorities during our journey, and Paul says they deserve our prayers, for we depend on them for the chance to “lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” Reflecting what Jesus taught, Paul elsewhere explains that God placed them there for that purpose and that they rule at God’s pleasure.
The important theological teaching in this passage is that ” there is one God and one intermediary between God and humanity, Christ Jesus,… .” Jesus appeared to humanity to mediate between God and man. Another biblical author expanded on this theme in the book of Hebrews.
Dave, caught for the moment between two worlds.
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Bible Diary - 1 Timothy 1:8-20
February 21, 2008
Paul is writing Timothy to warn against false teacher, but he digresses here to talk about the purpose of the moral law that is based on the Ten Commandments. For those who follow Christ, the law is a reminder of God’s ground rules of life, but for the bad guys and gals, the “lawless and rebellious people,” it is very bad news. Just in case his readers aren’t sure who these people are, Paul supplies a helpful short snapshot of how they are acting.
1:8 But we know that the law is good if someone uses it legitimately, 1:9 realizing that law is not intended for a righteous person, but for lawless and rebellious people, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 1:10 sexually immoral people, practicing homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, perjurers – in fact, for any who live contrary to sound teaching. 1:11 This accords with the glorious gospel of the blessed God that was entrusted to me.
1:12 I am grateful to the one who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me faithful in putting me into ministry, 1:13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I was treated with mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief, 1:14 and our Lord’s grace was abundant, bringing faith and love in Christ Jesus. 1:15 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them! 1:16 But here is why I was treated with mercy: so that in me as the worst, Christ Jesus could demonstrate his utmost patience, as an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life. 1:17 Now to the eternal king, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen.
1:18 I put this charge before you, Timothy my child, in keeping with the prophecies once spoken about you, in order that with such encouragement you may fight the good fight. 1:19 To do this you must hold firmly to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck in regard to the faith. 1:20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
His reflection on the dark side of the law over, Paul returns in verses 12-17 to the good news of the gospel, starting by telling how he was personally called to follow and trust Jesus, even though he was a “blasphemer and a persecutor, and an arrogant man.” He knows from experience that Jesus Christ is patient toward “those who are going to believe in him for eternal life.” I need to remember that there are those around me who have no use for Christ but are really on God’s list of those who he knows will turn to him. They are the hidden (for now) elect. Who knows who or what God will use to seal the deal and bring them into the fold? I might even be involved in some cases.
As so often happens with Paul, an exposition of the gospel often ends with an outburst of doxology, verse 17 being an example.
Timothy (like all of us) needs words of encouragement to “fight the good fight.” Timothy is in a fight for truth, and his greatest need is to be aware of the bright line that separates the true faith from false teaching. That’s my challenge, too, because many within the church teach a “tolerance” that muddies up that bright line.
Dave, still seeking understanding.
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Bible Diary - 1 Timothy 1:1-7
February 20, 2008
Timothy was from Lystra, the son of a Roman father and a Jewish mother. On his first missionary journey, Paul visited Lystra and Timothy responded to the gospel and became a Christian. He was with Paul in Ephesus, and when Paul traveled on to Macedonia, he left Timothy behind with instructions to nurture the fledgling church there, a big responsibility for a young man. In his salutation, he addresses Timothy as he would a son. Knowing that the Ephesian Christians might get led astray in spite of young Timothy’s care, Paul wrote to offer support. (See? If you don’t believe me, look at this letter from Paul!)
Salutation
1:1 From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, 1:2 to Timothy, my genuine child in the faith. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord!
Timothy’s Task in Ephesus
1:3 As I urged you when I was leaving for Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus to instruct certain people not to spread false teachings, 1:4 nor to occupy themselves with myths and interminable genealogies. Such things promote useless speculations rather than God’s redemptive plan that operates by faith. 1:5 But the aim of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. 1:6 Some have strayed from these and turned away to empty discussion. 1:7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or the things they insist on so confidently.
It sounds like there was a group of guys in Ephesus who wanted to teach the congregation an embellished gospel. Their “myths” and “useless speculations” may be a lot like what I read and hear from some of today’s ministers who should know better. The gospel that Paul preached was basically simple, based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Dave
Bible Diary - 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18
February 19, 2008
There is a lot of savvy wisdom in these words. It’s not unusual to encounter an undisciplined man or woman who just can’t seem to get it all together and who leads an unruly, disruptive life. By contrast, the life hid with Christ in God exhibits confidant self control. Once again, Paul reminds his readers how he conducted himself in a disciplined way while he was with them. I would hesitate to try very hard to hold myself up as an example to anyone, but that may sometimes happen anyway, a sobering thought indeed.
Response to the Undisciplined
3:6 But we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who lives an undisciplined life and not according to the tradition they received from us. 3:7 For you know yourselves how you must imitate us, because we did not behave without discipline among you, 3:8 and we did not eat anyone’s food without paying. Instead, in toil and drudgery we worked night and day in order not to burden any of you. 3:9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give ourselves as an example for you to imitate. 3:10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command: “If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat.” 3:11 For we hear that some among you are living an undisciplined life, not doing their own work but meddling in the work of others. 3:12 Now such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and so provide their own food to eat. 3:13 But you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary in doing what is right. 3:14 But if anyone does not obey our message through this letter, take note of him and do not associate closely with him, so that he may be ashamed. 3:15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Conclusion
3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all. 3:17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, which is how I write in every letter. 3:18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Paul also says that those who avoid work and get in the way of others should not share in the benefits of the work. No work - no food. I read that the Greek word used to describe bothering others instead of working means literally “working at nothing, but working around.” How many meddlers would we have among us if everyone kept their nose to the grindstone? Not many, I think.
The concluding benediction reveals a pastor’s heart. And may the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you as well.
Dave
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