1 Timothy 4

Introduction

The tone of the Epistle changes here. It is as if, after going down a quiet road of fine houses and beautiful gardens, we turn a corner and find ourselves in a lane of dirty tumbledown slum properties, with weeds and rank disfigurement. Paul gives Timothy warning against the events of latter times. This is not to be confused with the “end times”, the period immediately before the Parousia. Here, the Greek en usterois kairois just means later on, after the time of writing. Paul foresees a rapid decline in the quality of life among professing Christians.

Paul gives Timothy positive advice to meet the threat. Then he speaks of Timothy’s own leadership of Christians, and the importance of example and of giving self wholly to the work. This is a classic chapter for use at ordination and induction services, for it certainly especially refers to leaders. But there is relevance to us all in various ways.

Meeting the threat of spiritual decline and heretical teaching

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 (1 Timothy 4:1-3). Paul is warning about backsliders, or people within the fold of the Church who were never genuinely converted. These people are now showing their true colours, how they are caught up in devilish doctrines, taught by evil spirits. They have become human instruments of the devil, to speak lies. Their consciences are dead for they are no longer functioning. Time was when they would have shrunk from such lies or sins, but they can do it now without even blushing. How evil, if unchecked, can grow on a man!

The false teaching was the beginnings of Gnosticism that plagued the church at Colosse, and the readers of 1 John. It came into full flower in the second century. Gnostics taught that the Spirit alone was good, and all matter was evil, therefore taught a strict ascetic life, denial of good things of life etc. They despised the world because it was evil, including the fairest things – like marriage, and good food. The result was these people were stricter than God, and so insulted God. In every generation there have been people who have thought like this.

Rather than being evil, the function and instincts of nature are good – God’s gift to us. They are not to be despised. The world and life is to be enjoyed. We should thank God for His gifts. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good (Genesis 1:31). We should be grateful for it. Our prayers of thanksgiving should include praise before meals.

Paul not only gives warning about this false teaching, but also gives Timothy positive instruction. Everyone in the Church needed to be reminded of this truth, and as a good minister he must teach these things. He had been brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed (1 Timothy 4:6), and this was the answer to false teaching. Many were prey to heresy because they lacked the knowledge of the truth, and were unable to discern. Paul also told Timothy to have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales (1 Timothy 4:7), i.e. silly superstitions and religious trash which was merely Jewish anecdotes to embellish the Law. These things got in the way of the truth, led people to get lost in side issues, and indulge in profitless and empty talk. Timothy was to stick to teaching what was central to the faith.

Like an athlete, train yourself to be godly. Physical fitness is not to be despised, though it has limited value, for it develops only part of a man. But training in godliness develops the whole man and the results affect not only time but also eternity. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labour and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, and especially of those who believe (1 Timothy 4:9,10). The goal of all our endeavours is the living God.

Paul is underlining a very important truth. Timothy was a leader. The church was threatened with heresy. He was to teach the truth. But he would only be able to do so if he himself were built up in the faith and seeking to live a Godly life, whose goal is God Himself. No man can give out without taking in. He who would teach must learn continually. The reservoir must constantly be replenished. Cannot be a teacher unless we are always learning. Keep feeding your own mind before trying to feed the mind of others. Sadly this is the reason why some men get preached out. They forget they need to be students all their lives.

“We who would lead the flock must be,

Shepherd of Israel, led by Thee;

We who would feed Thy lambs must be

With Thee, O Christ, the Living bread.”

Alexander Maclaren said, “Nothing is more likely to sap a man’s devotion and to eat out the earnestness and sincerity of the Christian life, than that he should be constantly occupied with presenting God’s Word to other people. We look on it as our stock in trade and forget to apply it to ourselves.”

The importance of example to those to whom he ministers

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 (1 Timothy 4:11,12). Timothy was probably in his mid thirties at this time, so compared to Paul he was young. Also, he was young to hold such an exalted position. Therefore he needed to offset the fewness of years by the richness of his character. People would forget how young he was if they concentrated on how godly he was.

His speech (how important words are), conversation, daily life and behaviour (how important to visibly “walk the walk” so he cannot be criticized), love (ever forgiving, never hating), faith (i.e. faithfulness, reliability, not given to disappointment or discouragement), and purity (practical holiness, Christian standards of honour and honesty, chastity and consideration) were all to be exemplary. As a leader he needed to live his life by Christ’s standards. That way he would silence criticism and suspicion.

Whole-hearted concentration on his work

Paul has already stressed the need to be nourished in godliness, teaching and being an example. But how was Timothy to develop character and teach and lead? Until Paul’s arrival Timothy was to be concerned with the public reading of the Old Testament Scriptures, preaching and teaching (to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine (1 Timothy 4:13 A.V.). So often we hear people complain that they do not come to church to hear the opinions of a preacher but to hear the Word of God. Need to be clear that there is a place for preaching and teaching. The Word needs to be explained and illustrated. Men need to have the doctrines laid out clearly before them in a way that they understand and can retain, before they will be able to give a reason for the hope within them (1 Peter 3:15). A preacher’s job is to apply the message, the challenge, make it relevant to daily living and problems. This helps people see how up to date, relevant and adequate the Word of God is.

Timothy is told not to neglect the gift he has been given by the Holy Spirit, enabling him for his work. The hands of elders were laid on him – a symbol of the transfer of a gift from the Giver to the recipient. He had become aware of his gift and responsibility through the prophetic utterances of inspired bystanders. The current of the Holy Spirit was already in his life, but there was need for the switch of faith to be turned on, for the light, warmth and power to operate.

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them (1 Timothy 4:15). The word suggests an animal chewing the cud, turning the matter over and over. Timothy was to be wholly absorbed in these instructions, and throw himself thoroughly into the work. There is need for rest and recreation, but nothing must rob us of the main purpose in life. It should be evident to the onlooker that there is growth and progress. Even a leader should be seen to make progress, to mature, to do much better, to improve – for he should be learning all the time.

Watch your life and doctrine closely (1 Timothy 4:16). Paul gets these in the right order – self first and then teaching. “Get straight, keep straight, make straight.” Persevering in these matters, keeping them up from the beginning to the end of the ministry, year after year, is the crucial test of Church and congregation. Timothy is told that if he does this, he will work out his own salvation and assist others to do the same (c.f. Paul’s fear of being cast away after preaching to others.)

Conclusion

This letter was written against a background of false teaching. Timothy must meet it by giving very positive teaching, setting an example, and throwing himself whole-heartedly into his task. This has special reference to leaders; yet we can all do well to apply some of the principles to ourselves.