1
TIMOTHY 4:10-16
TIMOTHY,
BE A TESTIMONY
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Timothy 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust
in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that
believe.
Susan: Paul
says that because of preaching the gospel and his service to the Lord Jesus, he
suffered “reproach” which is shame and disgrace.
Susie: Christians
of the early church were often falsely accused and ridiculed because of their
belief in Jesus. Those who are actively sharing the gospel message today
sometimes suffer reproach as well.
Susan: Those
within the parameters of the 10/40 window, those countries that prohibit the
gospel completely, face extreme persecution or even death. For more on the
10/40 window, go to:
Susie: Why
would Paul continue to labor, to work to the point of exhaustion, despite
persecution and urge Timothy to do the same?
Susan:
Jesus, the earthly personification of the one true God, the living God, gave
everything up to and including his life so that we could have life ever-lasting
with Him. Therefore, we should at least be willing to spend and even give up
our lives for our one true Love, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Susie: Paul
and Timothy served a living God who
had the power to preserve and protect them, and as Susan said, to ultimately
call them home to dwell with them forever. We serve that same God today, and He
is still able to meet all our needs and enable us to persevere. We have trusted
in Jesus as our Savior. Why does Paul refer to Jesus as the “Saviour of all
men?”
Susan: God
created the universe, but as far as we have discovered, only one planet, the
earth, is able to sustain plant, animal, and human life. This is the result of
His sovereign care and compassion.
Susie: Even
those who deny God’s existence benefit from His benevolence.
Matthew
5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh
his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and
on the unjust.
Susie: God, in His mercy, sends people like Paul
and Timothy, you and I, to present the gospel message of salvation by trusting
in Jesus Christ to all kinds of people. Even those who never trust in Him
benefit from the good He places in the world through those who do follow him,
both in their sharing the gospel and in a multitude of humanitarian efforts
that are “faith-based.”
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Timothy 4:11 These things command and teach.
Susan: Timothy
should teach and command the gospel message of Jesus, the good news. Teach what
is written in the pages of scripture . . .
Susie: . .
.and the truths and doctrines he had learned at the feet of Paul. The way to
combat the false teaching mentioned in the first part of this chapter is to
faithfully present the truth.
Susan: It is
necessary to back up the preaching of these truths and doctrines with a
righteous lifestyle.
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Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the
believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in
purity.
Susie: Timothy
was probably about thirty which was considered young in a society that valued
the aged. Paul was urging him to not let his lack of years hold him back. He
was mature beyond his years from traveling with and learning from the Apostle
Paul himself.
Susan: Timothy
was endorsed by Paul which would not have happened if Paul did not trust his
exemplary conduct. Paul knew the truth that your gift cannot take you where
your character cannot keep you.
Susie: Paul
reminds Timothy that his consistent Christ-like behavior will be a testimony to
all around him. He lists some specific areas to which Timothy needed to pay
attention. We would all do well to be a good witness in these areas.
1.
Word – Our speech should be true, uplifting,
free from profanity,
a. Ephesians
4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour:
for we are members one of another.
b. 1
Peter 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his
tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
c.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NASB) Therefore encourage
one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
2.
Conversation – manner of life, righteous living
a. 2
Corinthians 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience,
that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the
grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to
you-ward.
b. 2
Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of
persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
3.
Charity – Christlike love
a. 1
Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have
not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
b. 1
Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not;
charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
4.
Spirit – some manuscripts leave out this word.
It is the word for breath, the soul or spirit – basically who you are at the
core.
5.
Faith – faithfulness
a. Luke
16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and
he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
b. 1
Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found
faithful.
6.
Purity – especially sexual purity
a. Psalm
119:9 (NASB) How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to
Your word.
b. 1
Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the
Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a
pure heart fervently:
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Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to
doctrine.
Susan: Public
reading of the scriptures and teaching from them is to be done regularly.
Exhortation can be cautionary words or words of encouragement to guide those in
the faith to continue pursuing godly righteousness, being a living witness of
Jesus’ love.
Susie: Doctrine
involves both the teaching of the scriptures and for Timothy, the things he had
learned from Paul. We have the writings of the apostles in the New Testament,
but Timothy learned directly from Paul and his letters.
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Timothy 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by
prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
Susie: The
Bible itself does not tell when this prophesy and laying on of hands occurred.
However, since Timothy accompanied Paul on a missionary journey, they were
probably commissioned for that with the laying on of hands by the elders.
Perhaps this prophecy was pronounced at that time. At any rate, Paul tells
Timothy to continue to live up to what he was commissioned to do—preach, teach,
and shepherd the people of God.
Susan: Timothy’s
mother and grandmother may have been the ones to speak prophecy over Timothy as
well.
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Timothy 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy
profiting may appear to all.
Susan: As
Timothy studies and embraces these truths as a part of himself, he will become
fulfilled and purposeful in his individual walk as well as his shepherding of
the church at Ephesus.
Susie: As we
meditate on and internalize the word of God, applying it in our daily lives,
others will see Jesus living through us. Our opportunity to share the good news
of God’s grace will be multiplied by the positive changes Jesus works into our
lives.
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Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them:
for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Susan: First,
Timothy should examine himself and make sure he continues to walk in the right
ways before the Lord. Secondly, he should make sure he is teaching those under
his leadership the truth, the tenets that Paul taught Timothy and Jesus taught
Paul.
Susie: By
paying attention to his own walk with the Lord, Timothy would persevere and
continually be assured of his salvation. By teaching others, he might have the
opportunity to see them come to trust in Jesus for salvation as well.
QUESTIONS
1. Why
does Paul call God the “Savior of all men?” Does this mean that ultimately
everyone will be in Heaven? Support your answer with scripture.
2. Like
Timothy, all of us should be a positive example of Christian living. Re-read
verse 12. Choose the area of your biggest struggle and list three scripture
references that may help you grow in that area. Try to commit at least one of
them to memory this week.
3. Paul
instructed Timothy to engage in reading, exhortation, and doctrine. Is this
necessary for pastors only, or do all Christians need to do these things?
4. All
believers are given spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit. Describe how you are
using and developing your gift(s).
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