Honor God in Your Service
1 Timothy 3:8-13; 4:6-16
Tom J. Nettles
[Although this lesson does not include the material on the
“overseer,” or bishop, we will provide some exposition for those that would
like to have a larger context for the qualifications of deacon and the
admonitions given to Timothy in 4:6-16]
I.
The character of Christian ministry (3:1-7) – overseer, or bishop, the same office
as elder or pastor –cf. Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:1-3 [Only men, but not all
men] Though historically, some Baptists and other denominations have divided
these offices, the Scripture treats them as synonymous both in qualifications
and as synonyms. They only indicate different skills, or gifts, characteristic
of the same office.
A. Its intrinsic goodness [“A
good [fine] work”] as an office Christ has ordained for the church 1 – See Ephesians 4:7-13 – the pastor
teacher as a gift Christ ordains for the perfection of his people in true
knowledge. It gains its goodness through the content of the service (preaching
the revealed word of God and tending the elect sheep of God), and the absolute
excellence of status and moral perfection to which it leads—fellowship with the
triune God and the sinless manifestation of completely purified affections and
thoughts.
B. Qualifications consistent
with the holistic nature of his witness
1. The Functional qualification
is aptness to teach: only one word in Greek [didaktikon]
but a pervasive concern through the pastorals. This qualification includes at least
the following three ideas that penetrate virtually every part of Paul’s
correspondence to Timothy.
Ø Coherent and systematic
knowledge of revealed truth – cf. 1:7; 3:15, 16; 4:6, 11, 15-16; 5:17; 6:3, 4,
17, 20-21; 2 Tim 4:2, 3; The Bible should be his constant companion and his
knowledge should constantly be on the increase.
Ø Ability to communicate
confidently and clearly 1:18, 19; 4:6; 6:3, 4; 2 Tim 1:8; 2:14, 15; 23-26;
3:14, 15. Since divine revelation must be communicated in words, it is
important that the bishop appreciate language and give attention to the manner
in which it transfers ideas from one mind to another.
Ø Trustworthiness and
appropriateness in interpersonal relationships: 1:3; 3:5; 4:6; 5:1, 2; 6:1,
2,17
2. Personal morality
Ø “Above reproach” covers the
entire scope of character; He must not have any deleterious influence on issues
of moral uprightness in the church or in the way the church’s influence affects
society. The increasing distance between the world and the church on vital ethical
issues calls for a knowledgeable, scripturally enlightened, and morally
elevated grasp of the witness the church should bear to its surrounding
culture.
Ø Sobriety in conduct and
relationships – not a drunkard or fighter. Although this is not a strict prohibition
of the partaking of fermented beverage, the man that is responsible for the
spiritual lives of his flock should take extra cautions not to do anything that
creates diminished acuity
in mental faculty or in social interaction. His temper must
always be under control and in any time of rebuke or correction he must not
present himself as a pugilist set on winning a fight, but must conduct himself
with gentleness even when
engaged with an opponent.
Ø Not covetous – cf 6:10; 1 Peter 5:2 – The strong biblical warrant for
sufficient material provision for the pastor (5:17, 18; Galatians 6:6-10; 1
Corinthians 9:8-14), but the pastor must guard against measuring his ministry
in terms of material gain. He must rather see the riches of his calling in
terms of the privilege of speaking the infinitely glorious gospel of Christ
that gives eternal riches of the most elevating and enduring sort to all who
believe. (1 Corinthians 9:15-18; 1 Timothy 6:5-10).
3. Reputable for all the right
reasons 7 [Though non-believers might not like the world view of Christians,
they should have no reason to accuse one, especially an elder, of dishonesty,
deceit, impurity, impoliteness, or lack of compassion. Cf. Titus 3:1-3 and for
the same truth from a different perspective 1 Peter 2:12
4. Hospitable – to his own
flock but also to Christian teachers away from home, cf. Philemon 22; Hebrews
13:2, 3; 3 John 5-8 but, 2 John:10, 11; also contrast Diotrephes,
3 John 10
5. Experienced and not
susceptible to flattery and pride 6 cf. 5:22 – “avoid the condemnation placed
upon the devil” The devil is the king of pride and his absorption with his own
beauty and intellectual advantages (created in him by God) led to his
opposition to the divine purpose of redemption. Gill noted, “not
being able to bear it, that the human nature should be advanced above that of
angels.”
6. Proven as a manager of his
household 4, 5 [his family serves as a microcosm of the church family’ the
consistency and wisdom shown in the one will be evident in the other. See the concern in verse 15]
Ø One Wife (2) – not a
polygamist either in the past or the
present {Calvin} “What is here forbidden
is digamy under any circumstances,” [Expositor’s
Greek Testament] prohibiting not only polygamy, or bigamy, but divorce; not
prohibiting, however, remarriage after death of spouse
Ø The children are disciplined
and show proper deference to authority, Parental, legal, and societal. Gill
observed, “and not as Eli, who did not use his
authority, or lay his commands upon his sons, nor restrain them from evil, or
severely reprove them for their sins, but neglected them, and was too mild and gentle
with them.” “The argument is from the lesser to the greater, and it is quite
clear that a man who is not fit to rule his own family will be quite incapable
of governing a whole people. Besides the
fact that he obviously lacks the necessary qualities, what authority could a
man have among a people when his own family life brings him into contempt.” Calvin
II.
Necessary Facilitators of The Teaching ministry
A. Deacons – Notice that the arisal of need for deacons in the first instance was the
necessity of the apostles to keep teaching Acts 6:2-5. The deacons must be
search out ways in which they can facilitate more quality time for the bishop
in study and prayer. In this way he cares for the church spiritually while
caring for physical needs.
1. Same qualifications of
dignity and morals. Look at like description of bishops from above. Verse 8 and
12 reiterate much of the qualifications of the bishop. The reason for the
similarity of spiritual, familial, and moral qualifications should be clear. The
gospel should have a like effect on all those that profess to have embraced its
truth and experienced the redemptive blessings of faith in Christ. Each of
these officers should be examples of what the purifying effects of the gospel
produce in the way of doctrinal conviction, and the truth that is according to
godliness.
2. Knowledge of Christian truth
in depth: 9 “holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience” [They
might not be “apt to teach” but from their clear experimental acquaintance with
the truth, they will sympathize with the importance of the task of the pastor
and thus serve with greater faithfulness and zeal] On occasion, however, as in
the case of Stephen and Philip, teaching will be a part of what is necessary
for their calling.
3. they must be tested for
qualification – both their character and their knowledge of the gospel must be
subjected to a respectful and loving scrutiny; They are to serve in the office
only if this candid examination leads to the conclusion of their fitness in
these areas of biblical examination. Their blamelessness does not mean sinlessness but free of those attitudes and habits that
would being discredit on the sanctifying purpose of gospel
ministry.
4. The whole process of
selection and service functions as a means of grace 13
Ø Standing for themselves – That is, of
appropriate honor and respect as a spiritual guide in the increase of godliness
and purity of worship in the congregation.
Ø Great confidence in the faith means a more
settled assurance of their own standing in the blood and righteousness of
Christ giving greater boldness in prayer, a greater confidence in both
detecting and reproving error in thought and morals, and a more persuasive way
of presenting true doctrine to inquirers.
B. Women – This could refer to
deacon’s wives, since they might be called on to minister along with him in
some delicate situations. It could also be of broader application, pointing to
a simple recognition of the need for similar service in situations appropriate
for women as opposed to men. See Titus
2:3, 4 for the kind of activity women were encouraged to do.
III.
The importance of this order 3:14-16
A. Urgency (14-15a; cf.
4:13) Even though he hopes to come soon,
he wants the instruction to arrive even sooner, especially in case he is
delayed
B. the church is the creation
of a new family relationship – This is why verses 5 and 12 are so important
C. Its relation to God (15)–
this is not merely a human institution, founded by humans, for human
well-being, but a place established by God’s revelation and call, the
redemption purchased by The Son of God, and the quickening and gifting work of
the Spirit of God [“household of God . . . church of the Living God” See this
in light of Mt. 16:13-21; Rev. 1:4-6; 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22]
D. The truth of God’s word has
been placed in the church and constitutes its most basic calling. It is constructed by God’s truth and it is
called on to protect and proclaim God’s truth. Its content comes from
revelation and its substance concerns a reality proceeding only from the
infinite wisdom of God, a substance impossible for any philosophical,
intellectual, or political power of this age to conceive or produce 15:b, 16a “By common confession, great is the mystery
of godliness.” Cf. 1 Corinthians 2:6-10
E. A confession summarizes the
importance of these instructions as well as outlines a summary of the message
1. He summarizes truths
concerning the Lord Jesus Christ in whose person and through whose work the
church came into existence. The church
is his body [Eph. 1:22, 23; 5:18;
2. It is a hymnic
presentation with internal rhyme created by six verbs all in the same tense [revealed,
vindicated, seen, proclaimed, believed on, taken up]
3. Apparently two stanzas of
three lines each, the key ideas standing as a parenthesis [revealed in the
flesh . . . Taken up in glory]
Ø The first stanza begins with
the incarnation, affirms the presence
and necessary work of the Spirit [see Lk. 2:52; 4:1,
2; Rom 1:4;Heb. 9:14] both in empowering his humanity
to the perfection necessary for our justification and in rasing
him from the dead as testimoly to the trued defeat of
death through the exhaustion of any “wages” morally endemic to our sin. From
heaven the observation of angels shows the truly astounding nature of these
amazing events of the Son of God, their Master, dwelling among men [in a nature
inferior to the angels but soon to be exalted above them] for man’s redemption
[1 Peter 1:12; Hebrews 1:4, 14 - notice the presence of angels from the
announcement of the birth of John the Baptist all the way through the ascension
[Lk 1:11-20; Acts 1:10, 11 and many appearances at
pivotal events in between]
Ø The second stanza begins
with the effect of Christ’s appearance in his proclamation to the Gentiles and the belief unto life that accompanied the proclamation; it ends with
the affirmation of his ascension,
marking the certainty that his work of redemption was accepted in heaven and
the giving of gifts to men for the establishing of the church in the truth.
[Ephesians 4:8-13]
IV. Pressing the Points
A. Churches
must see the sober nature of calling a minister or of setting aside others to
gospel ministry. Their character must
support the content of their teaching ministry
B. Deacons must facilitate this teaching task
by being in full sympathy with it since they understand the greatness of its
content.
C. The
adoption of a confession of faith that clearly reflects the attributes and
purpose of God, the person and work of Christ, the nature of salvation, and the
form of the church would be a good thing, consistent with a biblical view of
the duties of a church.
V. Be warned that some teachers will deny
fundamental doctrine 1-5
A. Context: qualifications for an elder [3:1-7] and the importance of a succinct
confession [3:16] – Truth is central to every aspect of the church’s
witness. Immediately after the
confessions summarizing the christocentric nature of
truth and the church’s message, Paul warns against destructive error. Wrong living comes from wrong thinking and
perverted affections. The only antidote
is continual nourishment on revealed truth.
This ordering is virtually the same as that seen in 2 Peter 1:19-21,
emphasizing the importance of a deep knowledge of Scripture followed by the
warning against false prophets, 2 Peter 2:1ff.
B. Apostasy is specifically predicted
by the Spirit
4:1 Paul does not consider divine revelation in
human language either philosophically absurd or inherently unclear [cf. 1 Cor 2:10-13; 2 Tim. 3:16; Eph 3:3, 4, 5] A person may believe the Bible or not believe
the Bible. No doubt is possible,
however, that the apostles claimed to speak words explicitly revealed by God
through the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. The Christian claim that the Bible is the
word of God is built first of all on the claim that the books make to that
status. On that basis, then, we may
examine its history, its doctrines, its world-view, its morality, its impact on
lives, and the relation of its principal doctrines to credible witnesses.
C. Note that the ultimate origin of erroneous doctrine is
clearly demonic 4:1; 1 John
4:1-6. Satan continues to oppose God’s
purpose and has plenty of willing followers.
Compare also 2 Tim. 2:26. Jesus
recognizes Satan’s part in Peter’s refusal to hear the word of the cross
{Matthew 16:22, 23] so soon after speaking the revealed truth of Christ’s
person.
D. The means of propagating it is through unregenerate teachers 4:2; cf. 2
Peter 2 –Although this is often the case, for the unregenerate have vested
interests in disproving the truthfulness of Scripture, its moral standard, its
witness to certain judgment, and its clear demonstration of the exclusiveness
of Christ’s qualification as a savior, sometimes earnest people can be in
error. They are normally willing to be
corrected to the glory of God.
E. Attack on God through a false principle of moral rigor and piety
4:3 [cf.
F. Their resistance is
particularly aimed at God as creator and
his prerogative of establishing the purpose and proper use of everything. (4:4) Relate this to the
prohibition of women as the teacher of the church; it violates God’s purpose of
creation. See also Romans 1 for the
devastating results of human, as opposed to divine, sovereignty over sexuality.
G. The key always is to enjoy creation with a view to its holy
purpose of discerning the goodness of the Creator 4b, 5 [Psalm 8, Matthew 6:19-34, but Rom 1:25]
VI. Place
all of life in the perspective of eternity 6-11
[cf. Psalm 17:13-15]
A As opposed to the false teachers, Timothy is
to instruct according to the full body
of doctrine, as centered in the Gospel 4:6, 7a. The use of these two phrases together shows
that the words of faith and the sound doctrine are essentially the same,
but it shows that sound doctrine is designed to produce the changed life, the
life of belief. Review 1:5, 6.
B. Central to his teaching will be personal discipline, particularly for
godliness [4:7, 8 gumnaze-
exercise, go to the gym for godliness], but he is clearly to reject, give no
place even to the entertainment value of speculations disguised as true
religion. It seems that in the dualistic
religions [a proto-gnosticism?] older women
perpetuated the silly stories that promoted the doctrines against which Paul is
warning. Contrast with Paul’s expectations for older widows, 5:9, 10. The advantages,
however, of godliness, are great.
Compare the accusations against both John the Baptist and Jesus. Jesus did not follow an ascetic way of life
but “was not for that reason any whit inferior” [Calvin]. Godliness involves laying aside the “old self
which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit” and being
renewed in the spirit of the mind, putting on the new self “which in the
likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”
[Ephesians 4:22-24.] We see the
contrast, therefore, between falsehood and truth directly at the heart of
godliness. Conformity to truth in the
whole man has lasting advantages.
1. Promise for this life – note the devastation
wrought by ungodliness in the present life – embrace opportunities for showing
how godliness supports true happiness and fulfillment--Steady marriages,
disciplined children, frugal and honest life styles, lasting and edifying
friendships. On the other hand
ungodliness may give a veneer of success and worldly power and admiration from
the world, but also produces envy, jealousy, division, divorce, murder,
suicide, disease, and massive confusion.
2. And that to come – hellishness in this life only faintly previews the
hell of eternity. Not only will one
suffer the wrath of Almighty God, but he will be hated by all his companions in
hell. Faith, however, that produces a godly hope gives the beauty, love, and
holy joy of heaven as a driving force in the soul.
C. Godliness [“unto this”] is worth more
effort than any other goal –
1. Paul’s example – Labor and strive cf. Col
1:28, 29; see 2 Cor 6:1-10 – no amount of labor or
suffering is too much for the goal; Also
see Paul’s expression of seeking the status of resurrection from the dead in
Philippians 3:11-15.
2. This life is lived in the light of hope in the Living God; precursor to his
teaching in 6:17-19 cf. Titus 2:12, 13 – no disappointment in hope, for hope “maketh not ashamed” Romans 5:5 – hope focuses on a future
condition of imperishable riches consisting of the presence of God himself, our
glorified incorruptible status, in which we are free from indwelling sin and
any sinful predisposition that clouds our vision of the infinitely desirable
fellowship with the tri-une God.
3. “Saviour
of all men” 10. caretaker in general; all receive his
kindness, Romans 2:4, which shows that God’s
goodness should drive people to repentance, thus showing a double goodness,
not only in earthly provision but enduing such provision with an allurement to
eternal blessing. James 1:17,shows that
every good thing for every person comes from God; but, to those upon whom his effectual calling has come, his providence
is especially gracious in that they have learned to see in every event an
opportunity to attain true godliness.
D. Timothy must never tire of announcing and teaching these truths. 11 A Christian
teacher must resist the urge to novelty and realize the power of truth
reiterated. See Peter’s concern in 2
Peter 1:12-21. There is, moreover,
endless applicatory power of the gospel to all issues, religious, moral, and
philosophical as well as holy wisdom for difficult personal issues [Hebrews
5:11-14.
VII. Personal
life and conviction the foundation of Teaching Others 12-16
A Youthfulness is a disadvantage only if it
partakes of youthful folly 12 Again
godliness is the key. In the way that
asceticism is not superior to normal enjoyment of provisions of food, clothing,
and shelter, so age is not determinative of superiority apart from godliness.
B. Until Paul comes, his ministry must be
word-centered 13 -
It seems that Paul is on his way [Translate “While I am coming”] Though it is
possible [see below] that he could do otherwise, Timothy is to emphasize the
Word. Perhaps Paul, out of the authority
of his apostolic office will deal specifically with an issue that calls for
revealed insight, but the normal procedure and that that is incumbent on us is
to proceed with the inscripturated word.
C. He should cultivate the gift of teaching to
which he was set aside by the presbytery 14 [Either at Lystra
or at Ephesus before Paul left (1:3 cf. w/ 2 Tim 1:6)] With Timothy, this is a true
“charisma” and might include a gift of Spirit-revealed knowledge, but in light
of the instruction throughout these letters, it refers to an obligation to give
sound exposition of Scripture [cf. 2 Tim. 2:15]
D. Even if a charisma, its stewardship demands aggressive discipleship and may
be developed into maturity 15
[“pains . . . evident to all.” This will necessarily involve
greater knowledge of and ability to give pertinent application of the written
word.]
E. Perseverance in godliness and consistent
cultivation of gifts has eternal benefits for the minister and those who hear
him. This summarizes Paul’s concerns
1. Giftedness is of little value without
godliness. Compare with Paul’s concern
that the highly gifted Corinthians not use their gifts
as a pretense for personal lack of holiness.
He illustrates his concern by showing that even the position of an
apostle and all the special gifts granted him does not give him an exception to
personal holiness.
2. His ministry consists largely of instruction,
aspects of which follow in subsequent chapters.
“Those who hear you;”
The eternal well-being, the salvation, of persons depends on the
carefulness in truth of Timothy’s ministry.
How compelling this should be to every teacher and every gospel
minister, that, to a large degree, eternal destiny depends on the truthfulness
of what is believed.
VIII. Application
A. take note of how basic
revealed truth may be perverted for the service of error
B. Likewise, pursue the
implications of basic revealed truth throughout the whole fabric of Christian
doctrine. [connections of creation, revelation, fall, redemption, incarnation,
etc]
C. We must cultivate aspiration
to godliness as infinitely superior to worldly applause and pleasure, and see
with spiritual eyes the opportunities God provides
D. Word-centeredness is not
antagonistic to but is inherently intrinsic to godliness
E. We should encourage
ministers, and others, to takes pains in developing Spirit-endowed gifts