Timothy I - Expositional Study
A YOUNG MAN'S QUALIFICATIONS
Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 4:12-16 (KJV)
Introduction
Constantly throughout the course of Paul's first letter to Timothy, he points out to his beloved reader things that will make for the better discharge of the onerous duties now being laid upon him as he takes up the great and grave responsibility of a life of serving the Lord. In this passage, Paul gathers up the whole gamut of graces Timothy will need for his spiritual work. Five verses – all containing qualifications for leadership. As young Timothy takes on his work for Jesus, he will find himself well equipped if he possesses these characteristics.
First, we have a fertility of character. He is a "youth", perhaps in his middle thirty's, but nevertheless, young for such a responsibility. By contrast, his great mentor is "Paul, the aged" (Phil. 9), perhaps in his middle sixty's, prematurely old from all his sufferings and adventures proclaiming the Gospel. Timothy is to off-set the fewness of his years by the richness of his character, in order that the Ephesian congregation will quickly forget how young he is, and instead recognize how godly he is. He is to be "an example of the believers". He is to be an example "of" and not "to" the believers. In other words, a pattern of what a believer should be – "in word" by his speech, i.e., the things he says and the way he says them. He is to be an example "In conversation", not talk but walk; daily behavior. The world keenly watches a professing Christian, to see how he behaves, judging accordingly. This is especially true with a leader. Not just what he says, but what he does and above all what he is. This is the test. He is to be an example "In charity" –love, which is literally the strongest power in the world, the sweetest thing in human experience. Thank God for the wonderful promise, "The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost who is given unto us" (Rom. 5:5). With the Holy Spirit dwelling within (Rom. 8:9), it is possible for every Christian, shepherd or flock to have a heart filled with love. He is to be an example "In Spirit". Regarding these two words, some scholars have concluded that it means enthusiasm, a quality strangely lacking from the actions of some Christians. We often see plenty of enthusiasm for a football match or an election campaign, but sad to say not often for the service of God. This fine spirit certainly helped Timothy as he sought to consolidate his position and advancing the line. He is to be an example "in faith". The early church taught us the real meaning of faithfulness, when they faced much opposition, danger, threats, temptations, and suffering, yet remaining true to Jesus Christ. No doubt, Leaders are sometimes discouraged, disappointed, and distressed, but let them prove a pattern to the flock in spite of everything. Let them keep on keeping on. Timothy is to be an example "In purity", not only in the moral significance of the word, but in the more general connotation – purity of motive and action; practical holiness. What a catena of fruits is here displayed to enlarge and enliven the character of any young man destined for leadership.
We now once again consider a fidelity of ministry – "Till I come". Paul is hoping to visit Ephesus again and meanwhile he wants his young comrade to carry on with the work, not losing opportunities or heart. This is an echo is of the Lord's, "Till I come" (Luke 19:13), Who bids us "occupy", carry on the business until He returns. The ministry in this verse is divided into three main activities: First, the "reading", probably the public reading of the Scriptures. Remember the Master, who, "as His custom was, went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read" (Luke 4:16). How important this ministry is and how highly privileged is the man who is allowed to read the Word in the ears of the people, as Ezra did from his "pulpit of wood" (Neh. 8:3-4), when "all the people were attentive unto the book." Following this Old Testament scribe and his helpers let all readers aspire to their efficiency, who "read...distinctly and gave the sense and caused them to understand the reading" (v. 8). Second, the "exhortation", i.e., some word of guidance, rebuke, comfort, and challenge, arising out of the words read. The Christians of those early days, no less than today, are in real need of such inspiring utterances. The Bible is germane to life, whether ancient or modern. It is always up to date; relevant to the situation; and adequate to any call made upon it. One wonders why this Scriptural exhortation is so often disregarded today in favor of "that which satisfieth not" (Is. 4:2). Like Timothy, preachers of today should stay close to the Bible, spending their lives in service to God by constantly exhorting from it. And third, the "doctrine", i.e., the teaching. When Jesus ministered in the synagogues of Galilee, a distinction was noted between His "preaching" and "teaching" (Matt. 4:23). Whatever caused the need for specialized instruction of the Word in those early days is today greatly aggravated. The abysmal spiritual ignorance existing today is such as to constitute a call for a teaching ministry, using only verse by verse of God's Holy Word as the text. May preachers soon get back to it; never leaving it again. Timothy was to give close and constant attention to reading, exhortation, and doctrine, thus showing a happy fidelity in his ministry.
Next we consider a felicity of gift. We must bear in mind that Timothy's position was human representative of the Lord, a leader bearing the onus of matters personal, doctrinal, moral, and practical. To have such a charge was no small burden, especially on young shoulders. To discharge such work today is a burdensome occupation, a heavy load which would, no doubt, fill lesser folk with dismay. In the early age of the church it was no less, perhaps even heavier. Paul represented Timothy's precedent to follow, his experience to guide. They were blazing the trail. There also was a happy circumstance, i.e., the power, in the form of a "gift". Not in the sense in which we say that a man is naturally gifted, but in the sense that a particular gift was specially provided for an exceptional purpose. Also note that this "gift" was not a mere influence or a thing of any kind, but a Person, the Holy Spirit. This does not imply that Timothy did not previously have Him, since he could not be a Christian without Him for "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of His" (Rom. 8:9). But apart from this permanent abiding of Him in a Christian's heart, there was a specific anointing of the Spirit in the early church. This is what Timothy received. What about today? As electric current is in our homes, the power of "the Spirit of Christ" is there for our taking but can only be used if switched on. This is the way Christian's today are endowed with God's all-powerful Current, requiring only movement of the switch of faith to procure the light, warmth and power needed. Timothy was exhorted, "neglect not the gift that is in thee". Here lies the reason why some Christians stay on a low level, powerlessness in their service. Through "the Spirit of Christ" God's Current is there, but the switch is neglected. Today, a Christian's power is not outward, not visible like Paul's. However, within every faithful Christian is the awesome power of the Holy Spirit, ready and willing to work within to strengthen and uphold the child of God who will simply switch on the Current. "What? know ye not that...the Holy Ghost is in you?" (1 Cor. 6:19). These Corinthian Christians were living in an unworthy fashion; uncleanness was rife among them. Yet, the Holy One was in them so they ought not, need not be unholy. The Power was there. But for whatever reason they neglected to let Him in; neglecting to set Him free to do the work that He is willing, able and eager to do. So, Christian is it the light of guidance you want; the warmth of love you seek; the power for service you crave? It is all there through "the Spirit of Christ" as God's "gift" to you. Let nothing prevent you from turning on the switch, so your need and His great fullness can meet.
Consider now The prophecy – "...given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery." It seems that in those early days of the church, laying-on of hands was accompanied by the preaching of the Word. The word "prophecy" has two meanings in different parts of Scripture. In 1 Timothy 4:14 it is not used in the sense of fore-telling, but forth-telling, i.e., the telling-forth of some Word of God; as a strength and encouragement to the one being set apart. Timothy was commissioned in such a way by the Holy Ghost, the outward sign and symbol the laying-on of hands. Barnabas and Saul were sent forth in the same manner (Acts 13:3). Here it is said to have been by the hands of the presbytery, as, in essence, in Paul's own case. In 2 Timothy 1:6, Paul declares that it was "by the putting on of my hands". There is no contradiction. Evidently, both Paul and the presbytery took part in the consecration of Timothy. On this verse, Matthew Henry said, "Though there was a prophecy in the case of Timothy [the gift was given by prophecy], yet this was accompanied by the laying on of hands of the presbytery, that is, a number of presbyters; the office was conveyed to him this way;...It is true, extraordinary gifts were conferred on him by the laying on of the apostle's hands [2 Tim. 1:6], but, if he was concerned in his ordination, the presbytery was not excluded, for that is particularly mentioned" The moment of the separating sign (Rom. 1:1) must have been one of the most moving occasions in young Timothy's experience; and Paul would have him never forget it, never "neglect" it. How felicitous is the Gift.
Now consider a fixity of purpose: the practice – "Meditate upon these things." Some translators reject the word, "mediate", preferring to render it, "be diligent in", or "practice". Since scholars do not positively reject the word "mediate", there seems to be no reason why we should not preserve the choice of the Authorized Version. After all, meditation is a fine thing to do. Psalm 1:1-2 says that a happy man is one who "in His law doeth...meditate". As far back as Joshua 1:8, as part of his soldierly well-being, that young warrior is recommended to give earnest attention to the Book, to "meditate therein". Engaged in battle of another sort, Timothy is likewise urged to "meditate". The word suggests the idea of an animal having found his morsel chewing the cud, turning it over and over for its lasting taste and better digestion. Spiritually, a Christian's mouth is his mind and just as in Joshua's case "this book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth", but thou shalt retain it there and "chew" it over. So a Christian, having discovered a succulent portion of God's Word should never let it slip away, but should retain it, turning it over and over in the mind so that he may sample its delight for a long, long time, "How sweet are Thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Ps. 119:103), that he may the better "inwardly digest" it. No wonder the Psalmist says, "It is my meditation all the day" (Ps. 119:97). Timothy is to dwell "upon these things" that God has done and is prepared to do even for him.
All this is emphasized by what is said next: the pre-occupation – "give thyself wholly to them." In other words, Timothy was to throw himself completely into the ministry; at all times his mind, mouth, body members, everything. As far as personality is concerned, a successful preacher must throw everything in his life at his work for God. He must put his whole life in his work for the Master and as far as activity is concerned must go all out in his ministry. The secret of successful life is concentration. "Give thyself wholly to them" is literally "be in them". Become entirely wrapped up in them. Consider that intriguing description of the old prophet as "the Lord's messenger in the Lord's message" (Hag. 1:13), as if he had made it so much a part of himself that his whole soul was in it, as if man and message, message and man, were united as one. And, with Timothy, as if man and ministry, ministry and man, were one, completely identified with "these things". However, for his work's sake as well as his mental condition there is a need for every hard working preacher to have legitimate rest and recreation. Bishops should make this mandatory for their preacher. All work and no play can make even a Christian dull. But, so far as the general tenor of life is concerned, let us make sure that we deal firmly with anything that will distract us from the main purpose of a Christian life, i.e., serving God and saving souls. "Daniel purposed...and Daniel continued" (Dan. 1:8, 21). Stickability is an essential quality for effective leadership.
Following which, consider the progress – "that thy profiting may appear to all." The word "profiting" means difficulty of going on, "Ye did run well; who did hinder you?" (Gal. 5:7). On the other hand, those first Christians of Acts 2:42 discovered some grand secrets for the persistent life in the assiduous use of the public means of grace. "They continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine, and [the] fellowship, and in [the] breaking of bread, and in [the] prayers" The definite article is in all the places in the Greek. That's why we feel justified in characterizing these as public means of grace. Perhaps we might even stretch it further and render them as early equivalents of such helps as Bible School and Wednesday night Prayer Meetings. If, as leaders and preachers, we make a point of drawing newborn Christians into such gatherings, perhaps we will find more of them continuing. It is a weakness difficult to remedy that in too many churches of our Lord today, newborn Christians soon backslide. Perhaps one of the reasons for this is because they are not being helped to form a definite connection with other Christians. It is the work of every leader in the body of Christ to somehow, as quickly as possible, take all possible action to get young Christians linked up with the work of the Lord's church. The Pentecost "results" were numerically large, "about three thousand", but apparently none drifted away. The reason was because of their adherence to spiritual exercises. Bishops and their flock must "continue in them".
Lastly, we have the culmination – "thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee". What greater joy can come to any preacher and/or teacher, any Christian, than being God's instrument in saving others? We now end our study of the qualifications of leadership earnestly given by Paul to Timothy and us. Doubtless, these qualifications were possessed by Timothy, and hopefully will be by us, too. Timothy no doubt learned that he could not lead others unless he first walked the road. This is an outcome each of us should be seeking. William Harrison wrote:
As a bird each fond endearment tries
To tempt its new-fledged offspring to the skies
He tried each art, reproved each dull delay
Allured to brighter worlds and led the way
