1 TIMOTHY 5:17-25 - PAUL EXPOUNDS ABOUT ELDERS

1 TIMOTHY 5:17-25

PAUL EXPOUNDS ABOUT ELDERS

1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

Susie: The word “elders” means bishops/pastors/overseers, the leaders of the churches.

Susan: The pastors that rule well, who invest completely in shepherding their congregation, are to be given double honor. They should be respected and supported by those whom they serve.

Susie: The word for labor implies working to the point of exhaustion. This is not just a person who fills a pulpit on Sunday morning but one who tirelessly strives to meet the spiritual needs of the believers the Lord has entrusted to his care.

1 Timothy 5:18 For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

Susie: Where does the Bible say those things? Glad you asked:

Deuteronomy 25:4 Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.

Luke 10:7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

Susie: Note that Paul is acknowledging Luke’s gospel as scripture.

Susan: If a pastor is serving with their whole heart and being, they should be able to live and eat comfortably. Their physical needs should be met with the same vitality that he or she is meeting the spiritual of those that he or she serves.

Susie: We feed animals domesticated for farm work as payment for their labor. Jesus said that a workman was worthy of his hire in the context of sending out disciples to preach and minister. A pastor should be paid for his services, and one who puts himself entirely into serving the church should be compensated accordingly.

Susan: In times past, barter or trading goods was an acceptable way to pay a doctor or pastor. But unless you are Billy Brown of Alaskan Bush People, bartering not an accepted practice in 2017. Bringing the pastor a chicken dinner will not pay his rent, insurance, car payment, insurance, et.

1 Timothy 5:19-20 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

Susie: A pastor should be given the same benefit of the doubt as any other church member if accused of sin. The accusation should not stand against him unless there are two or more witnesses, and the procedure lined out in Matthew 18 applies.

Matthew 18:15-17 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Susan: If the pastor is proven to be in habitual sin, it should be brought before the congregation as a teaching time for all.

Susie: The hope is that all will learn that sin is eventually brought to light no matter who you are.

1 Timothy 5:21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

Susan: Paul admonished Timothy that no matter who the person was, the instructions in Matthew 18 regarding sin and restoration should be followed to the letter. The pastor or the janitor should be handled in the same manner.

1 Timothy 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

Susie: Laying hands on someone to commission them to service as pastor, deacon, missionary, etc. should only be done when a person has been vetted by church leadership and proved themselves worthy and called. No one should be promoted to these positions hastily. Timothy had a great responsibility in being the overseer of the pastors in the entire city of Ephesus.

Susan: If Timothy was not conscientious and careful when he commissioned a person for service in the church, he may place someone in a position that they were not called to or anointed for.

Susie: Or even worse than that, he could be ordaining a false teacher who would lead the congregation astray. Timothy needed to guard his own purity and reputation by installing only those candidates who met the standards set forth in chapter 3.

1 Timothy 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

Susie: Apparently Timothy was sickly, perhaps a gastrointestinal malady from water infested with parasites. The wine, being fermented, would combat some of these. Paul was NOT advocating that Timothy drink to excess.

Susan: Paul was suggesting that Timothy use wine medicinally and in moderation.

1 Timothy 5:24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.

Susie: Sometimes a person’s sins are obvious, but other times they are not discovered until later. However, they will surface eventually.

Numbers 32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out.

Susan: Some sins are covert and others overt. Some are sins of commission and others sins of omission which may not be as noticeable.

1 Timothy 5:25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

Susan: Some good works are recognized by all, but others may be known only to a few, the recipients of the good deeds. Other good works may only be known by the Father Himself. An example would be intercessory prayer.

Matthew 6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

QUESTIONS

1.       Should pastors be paid well for their service to the church? Why or why not?

2.       What rules apply to hearing an accusation against a pastor? Are the rules the same or different than for any other church member?

3.       What passage(s) covers dealing with a fellow believer who is sinning/

4.       Why does Paul say, “Lay hands suddenly on no man?”

5.       Are all sins obvious and known immediately?

6.       Are all good deeds obvious and known to others?

7.       List examples of hidden good deeds.

1 TIMOTHY 5:8-16 - WISDOM ABOUT WIDOWS

1 TIMOTHY 5:8-16

WISDOM ABOUT WIDOWS

1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Susie: Paul restates the idea from verse four that it is the family members’ responsibility to care for widows. Truly, it is a family responsibility to care for any family member who cannot provide for themselves—children, disabled, or widowed. Paul has strong words for those who do not take care of their widows. A person who does not fulfill his/her responsibility to a family member truly in need is in disobedience to the Lord, not behaving in a Christlike manner. Even non-believers naturally take care of their own, so a Christian who abandons his or her familial responsibilities is behaving worse than a non-believer.

Susan: A person who has the means but does not provide for those in their own family with needs is worse than a heathen.

Notes from The Voice Bible:

Family members have a duty before God to support their relatives. But when a widow has no family to support her, the church must step in to be her surrogate family. Paul, of course, is thinking of those widows who have served faithfully in the ministry of the church. The elderly are easily forgotten, especially those without caring families. The church is called to honor those who have been faithful servants by maintaining relationships with them and helping them when they are in need.

1 Timothy 5:9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man.

Susie: Threescore years would be sixty. Oh dear, I would qualify as old enough! This may not have been a list just of those who received assistance from the church but those who pledged to commit their lives to ministry to the body of believers now that their children were grown and their husband had passed away.

Susan: The “wife of one man” is literally a one-man woman. This does not mean that the woman in question could have only been married once. If her first husband died when she was still young, she may have remarried. The point that Paul is making here is that she was a faithful spouse and a faithful member within the congregation of believers.

1 Timothy 5:10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

Susan: A widow should only be put on this list if she were well-respected and kept her commitment to the Lord and to His household, meaning the household of faith. Dorcas, whose story is found in Acts 9:36-42, ministered to widows by using her talents as a seamstress to not only clothe them but to help them feel beautiful and remind them that they were beautiful to the Lord Jesus.

Susie: No husband is mention in conjunction with Dorcas, also called Tabitha. She may have been a widow herself, but one with the means to minister to and gives alms to others; or she may have never married, choosing instead to use her talents and means to serve the Lord. She is an example of the type of woman Paul described in verse ten.

1 Timothy 5:11-12 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

Susie: Younger widows, in their time of immediate grief and need, might pledge their lives to the service of the Lord and the church. However, Paul cautions that as time goes on their desires for a marriage relationship might pull them away from being faithful. They would be easy prey for false teachers or succumb to Satan’s temptations.

Susan: Their pledge may have been a knee-jerk reaction due to being distraught and overwhelmed by the depth of their grief. They did not know how they were going to manage to support themselves.

1 Timothy 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

Susie: Since most women did not work outside the home in those days, young widows would have way too much time on their hands, especially if they were childless.

Susan: Many of these young widows abdicated their pledges to the Lord and His people, the congregation of the local body of believers. Instead they run around and become a human chain of the hottest gossip in the community and putting their noses in others’ business where it doesn’t belong. This causes trouble throughout the community, especially the body of believers, a vicious rumor mill.

1 Timothy 5:14-15 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some are already turned aside after Satan.

Susie: Paul advises that younger women should remarry quickly and busy themselves with raising children and tending to all the duties of a household.

Susan: Having a new husband and children would keep them too busy to get into or make any trouble.

Susie: This would prevent them from becoming the subject of gossip or being gossipers themselves. Satan would have less material to use against them or entice them to sin. Apparently, this had already been the case with young widows in Ephesus, that Satan had lured them away from the faith.

1 Timothy 5:16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

Susie: The point here is that if Christian family members take care of widows, then the church will have more means to take care of those widows who have no family or whose families are truly destitute. Susan and I are members of a church that ministers to widows and home-found members through both the deacon body and a group called “Second Mile Ministry.” In this way, the widows and others in need are visited, called, encouraged, and cared for. If their Second Mile visitor learns of a need, if can be brought to their deacon or others in the church who can meet that need.

QUESTIONS

1.       What strong words did Paul have for someone who does not take care of their own family members?

2.       What age was the minimum for a widow to be added to the list?

3.       Could a widow have been married more than once?

4.       List some characteristics of the type widow that would be considered.

5.       What should younger widows be urged to do? Why?

6.       Who should be the first to care for a widow before the church steps in to help?

1 TIMOTHY 5:1-7 - TAKE CARE OF THE "FAMILYSHIP"

1 Timothy 5:1-7

TAKE CARE OF

THE “FAMILYSHIP”

1 Timothy 5:1-2 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

Susan: As a pastor, Timothy should treat the members as he would his own family.

Susie: The word “rebuke” has a connotation of correcting sharply. If a person was found in sin, Timothy was to gently encourage and strengthen them to turn from sin and back to the Lord.

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Susan: In dealing with the members of his congregation, he should keep his relationships upright and above board. His words and actions with them should be such that they could never cause suspicion.

1 Timothy 5:3-4 Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

Susie: The church is supposed to honor, take care of, widows. However, if a widow has children, grandchildren, or other close relatives, those people should take care of her.

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Susan: Parents have raised their children, so the children should be there to care for them in their time of need. Some parents do not do a stellar job raising their children. However, there is a blessing for those children to honor them by caring for them anyway.

Ephesians 6:2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

1 Timothy 5:5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

Susie: A widow who truly has no family to support her and no means of her own, must place her trust in God for everything. Her prayers to Him are answered by the church caring for her needs.

1 Timothy 5:6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

Susan: A widow who is living a corrupt lifestyle is spiritually dead and perhaps never had a relationship with the Lord.

Susie: This is a picture of a widow who willfully lives immorally, trusting in the world instead of the Lord.

Susan: She is self-indulgent and looking for immediate gratification.

1 Timothy 5:7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.

Susie: These rules about caring for widows and who is considered a true widow were to be set as standards. Timothy was to give instruction concerning them so that the widows and those who should be caring for them would not be accused of impropriety. Paul will expound upon this theme in the next lesson.

1. How should a pastor handle the correction of a church member who is sinning?

2.  Who should be the first in line to take care of a widow before the church begins to help her? Why?

3. The church was to take care of widows, but in reality, who is it who watches out for them? 

1 TIMOTHY 4:10-16 - TIMOTHY, BE A TESTIMONY

1 TIMOTHY 4:10-16

TIMOTHY, BE A TESTIMONY

1 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:

http://goaim.org/about-us/what-is-the-1040-window/

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.”

1 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.

1 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:

1 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.

1 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.

1 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.

1 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).

1 TIMOTHY 4:1-9 - ESCHEW FALSE TEACHING: EXERCISE FAITH

1 Timothy 4:1-9

ESCHEW FALSE TEACHING:

EXERCISE FAITH

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Susie: The Holy Spirit made it clear to Paul, to Timothy, and through this scripture to us, that people will increasingly leave true Christianity for counterfeit religion.

Susan: A prime example from modern times is the New Age movement.

Susie: When any religion or philosophy purports to have another way to have a relationship with God other than through trust in Jesus, run away! The scary thing about some “spiritualism” is the idea of a “spirit guide” sought by meditation. This is nothing short of giving a demon control of your mind. The only guiding Spirit needed is the Holy Spirit who will always lead you to find the truth in the word of God, the Bible. Beware of any spiritual exercise that asks you to empty your mind. Your mind should be filled with the word of God by which the Holy Spirit can transform you.

Romans 12:1-2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Psalm 119:9-11 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

Susan: Our minds need to be aiming toward the bullseye of Jesus and His word, laser focused on the Truth.

Susie: When we have internalized God’s word, memorized and meditated on His scripture, we are much less vulnerable to the deception of Satan through false teachers.

1 Timothy 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Susan: These false teachers tell so many lies that they get to a point where they can no longer distinguish between right and wrong, or to differentiate between righteousness and deception, truth and falsehood.

1 Timothy 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

Susie: Paul then gives Timothy a couple of examples of false teaching going on in Ephesus where Timothy is pastor. Remaining single can be a definite calling of the Lord, but these teachers were presenting it as necessary for salvation. Read 1 Corinthians chapter 7 for Paul’s discourse on marriage and singleness.

Susan: The dietary restrictions laid out in the Old Testament were lifted when God gave Peter the vision of the unclean animals and commanded him to kill and eat (Acts 10).

Susie: Elsewhere, Paul teaches about refraining from certain things so as not to harm another believer who does not share the freedom you have (1 Corinthians 8). However, he does not make refraining from certain foods a prerequisite of salvation.

Susan: These false teachers that Paul, Timothy, and the early church were combatting were putting forth a works based faith. They were presenting salvation as dependent upon the fulfillment of certain prerequisites, deeds or actions, of a person.

Susie: These teachings were directly opposite of the true Gospel message of salvation by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

1 Timothy 4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Susan: God gives things intrinsic value. God as Creator made everything good. Only the Creator can give the creation significance.

Susie: Since God created food for our nourishment and enjoyment, we may eat it with gratitude. God established marriage beginning with Adam and Eve. Both food and marriage are necessary for mankind to continue. If every Christian abstained from marriage, we would soon die out.

Susan: As Susie was typing the previous paragraph about physical nourishment, I was reminded that we as believers also need to be consuming the spiritual nourishment found in the Bible. We must see it as essential to sustaining our intimacy with God.

Job 23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

John 4:32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.

1 Timothy 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

Susan: Paul tells Timothy to remind the people to pay attention and keep their compass pointed to true north which is Jesus.

Susie: He is referencing the things in the letter thus far concerning both godly character and not listening to false teaching.

Susan: Timothy would be a good pastor if he instructed those in his congregation in the same manner in which he had been taught, the teachings of Christ, the Son of the Living God.

Susie: Paul knows Timothy was discipled well because he taught him himself. He praises Timothy because it is evident he is living and teaching as he was taught.

Susan: Even prior to learning from Paul, Timothy learned at the knees of his mother and grandmother.

2 Timothy 1:5 What strikes me most is how natural and sincere your faith is. I am convinced that the same faith that dwelt in your grandmother, Lois, and your mother, Eunice, abides in you as well.

1 Timothy 4:7-8 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.  This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

Susie: Paul urges Timothy to steer clear of all false teaching comparing it to myths.

Susan: Instead, he should be immersed, saturated, and infused with the scripture.

Susie: It is not “in vogue” to speak of spiritual discipline—daily Bible study, consistent prayer life, moral purity—lest we be accused of being legalistic. However, legalism requires these things in order to be saved, and spiritual discipline is doing these things because we are saved and desire to know more and more of Jesus.

Susan: I’ve never been really good at keeping my physique in order although I am a petite, lean, mean machine. LOL. I find that my forte is in the spiritual discipline of mining out the jewels we can discover within the word of God.

Susie: Although you cannot tell it by looking at me, I once completed a course to become a personal trainer. In order to keep the human body functioning at optimum, exercise and healthy diet must be a consistent lifestyle. In order to keep spiritually fit, we must be in the word much more than in Sunday morning Bible Study and listening to the occasional sermon, and we must discipline ourselves in prayer and obedience.

Susan: I sure did give myself a spiritual workout this week in studying 1 Timothy 3. LOL. Praise the Lord, mine and Susie’s different viewpoints do not negatively affect our familyship. Spiritual fitness takes diligence and perseverance just like physical fitness.

Susie: Keeping physically fit enables us to enjoy life here and now on earth, but spiritual fitness brings joy both now and in our forever home with the Lord.

QUESTIONS

1.               What two “red flags” of false teaching are addressed in 1 Timothy 4:3?

2.               Spiritual nourishment is essential to the growth of our relationship with Jesus. What do we need to consume to be healthy spiritually?

3.               Describe some spiritual disciplines or exercises we should engage in daily in order to be healthy spiritually.