Hebrews 1
KingCommentsHebrews 1:1
Discipline for the Purpose of Godliness
1 Timothy 4:6. Paul orders Timothy to point out “these things” he just mentioned, to the believers. He doesn’t give this order as a command. He appeals to Timothy as someone who wants to be “a good servant of Christ Jesus”. He neither says that Timothy must command the believers to consider what he has said regarding marriage and the consumption of food. He has to ‘point out’ these things.
He ought to tell them with sensitivity about what God has meant with marriage and food and drink. It is not only about passing them on in words, but that he also makes it effective for the listeners. In that way he will lay a foundation under the teaching of Paul which in this letter is particularly about the conduct in God’s house. It also concerns everyday matters like weddings and the consumption of food.
When he performs his duty in that way he ‘will be a good servant’, in whom Christ Jesus is being glorified. ‘Servant’ is not an official function, but it indicates an action. It is simply about a person who serves Christ. You can be that too. A good servant takes care of the saints.
He also takes care of his own spiritual health by feeding himself with the Word. “The words of faith” have “nourished” him; he has been and he is being nourished and formed by it. The words of faith are the words that the faith needs, words that strengthens the faith. Those are the words of God’s Word and those are the daily nourishment of the servant. I hope that God’s Word is also your daily nourishment.
By the “sound doctrine”, which implies the truths that are revealed in the Scripture, the servant is being kept alive spiritually. Timothy has, after a careful study of the sound doctrine, appropriated this doctrine for himself and has “been following” it (2 Timothy 3:10; cf. Acts 17:11). That has become visible in his service. Only then is a person able to instruct others what he has learnt. It is also important for you to take in the doctrine of the Scripture first and to practice it before you instruct anything to others (Ezra 7:10).
1 Timothy 4:7. What contradicts the words of the faith and the sound doctrine are “worldly fables fit only for old women”. Paul orders to always reject and condemn this empty talk of silly old chatterboxes. It is in no way in accordance with the things from God and can therefore not nourish the believers. These foolish imaginations are nourishment for gullible people who turn away from God and His Word. They nourish themselves with things that are no food.
After the order to reject something Timothy receives the order to discipline himself in something. Paul calls out to him: “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” That means to exercise or train yourself in what pleases God. You focus on asking yourself in everything you do whether it is the will of God. With this discipline (literally: gymnastics) is not meant intellectual gymnastics to increase your memory, but how your heart and conscience are being disciplined in God’s presence in learning to know His will.
1 Timothy 4:8. This is a learning process where the point is to bring everything, including the small details, to God and to make Him guide you step by step. This discipline will never come to an end on earth. That is different from the “bodily discipline”, which is “only of little profit”. The profit of bodily exercise is measurable and limited to a certain time. It in no way affects eternal life, the life after this life. Neither is it of any use there. However, the discipline for the purpose of Godliness is not only profitable for the body, but also for the spirit and soul.
Paul doesn’t plea for an abstinence of everything regarding the body. He only wants to put it in the true perspective. In the comparison between bodily discipline and the discipline in Godliness the balance must be completely tipped to the side of the commitment to get disciplined in Godliness. His goal is to show that the spiritual training has an immeasurable value, while the bodily training has only a very limited profit.
When there is Godliness things are seen in the light of God. Discipline for the purpose of Godliness brings spirit, soul and body in God’s presence. God promises to show the true meaning of life to those who exercise in it and to give strength to implement this. The value of such a life on earth is already great to God and to the believer himself and this value will also remain in the future. If you focus on God and on doing His will He will fulfill His promise to you. Then you will already enjoy fellowship with God in “the present life” and you will continue to do so in “the [life] to come”. You take it along with you out of this life into eternity.
1 Timothy 4:9. You can be sure that it is like that. With the assertion “it is a trustworthy statement” and the encouragement “deserving full acceptance” the importance of the discipline for the purpose of Godliness is underlined. Because this saying is that trustworthy (God has said it after all) it deserves full acceptance. He who doesn’t accept it, deficits himself tremendously. You can be sure that this saying is truly profitable.
1 Timothy 4:10. It is in any case a saying that means everything to Paul. He has a right view of that promise. He knows that that promise ought to be the center in the life of each believer. Therefore he points out to Timothy his commitment “for this”. With the efforts of all his strength, right up to the brink of exhaustion (that is what the word “labor” means) he wants to convince the believers, including you, to discipline themselves for the purpose of Godliness.
It is really a tough job to ‘keep the minds’ of believers on this because we all easily forget what our life is all about. When you occupy yourself with it, it will also cause battle. You will definitely face powers that want to guide believers the other way. Paul does not avoid the battle that goes together with it. I hope you don’t either.
Bodily discipline is often about the honor of men. In order to persevere in the spiritual labor and battle you should not focus on that, but on the honor of God. Paul fixes his hope on “the living God”. That’s where he draws his strength from to be able to do his heavy duty and to fight the battle that goes together with it. Paul focuses on Him alone. There also is the strength for the service that Timothy has to achieve and also for you and your service.
Of that service people are the object. God Himself gives the example of that service by being the “Savior of all men” as ‘the living God’. The purpose is that they will respond to what God asks of them: to live a Godly life. Only in a life with that quality man finds his true destination and satisfaction. Every other fulfillment of his life dishonors God and is damaging to man himself.
God is ‘the living God’. He, Who has always existed, is the source of life. All life originates from Him. Real life is the life He gives and that is lived for Him. There is no life outside of Him. People who live outside of Him are dead.
In a way all people do enjoy what the believers enjoy unlimited. Although unbelievers do not give thanks to Him for it, He feeds their bodies. He is the ‘Savior’ or ‘Sustainer’ of it. He is not the Savior of the unbelievers in the sense that they are eternally saved, but in the sense that He takes care of them by giving them food (Acts 14:17). God doesn’t despise anything of His creation, not the food nor marriage and nor also man.
Paul, who has no guarantees for a livelihood, knows for sure that God Who is the Savior of all men, is this “especially of believers” (cf. Philippians 4:19; Romans 8:32; 1 Peter 3:12). The assurance of the apostle applies also to you, whatever the test is that you may experience now. It is a good thing to look at the immeasurable privileges you may enjoy as a saved sinner and to be grateful to have eternal life and a heavenly hope. But also never forget the continual and loving care of God that He shows you in everyday matters.
1 Timothy 4:11. Timothy has to “prescribe” the previous matters. ‘Prescribe’ is a stronger word than ‘pointing out’ in 1 Timothy 4:6. He ought to bring forward authoritatively that the negative things quoted, should be omitted and that the positive things should be done. He also ought to “teach these things”, which means that he has to explain what is being prescribed.
Now read 1 Timothy 4:6-11 again.
Reflection: How do you exercise yourself in Godliness?
Hebrews 1:2
Discipline for the Purpose of Godliness
1 Timothy 4:6. Paul orders Timothy to point out “these things” he just mentioned, to the believers. He doesn’t give this order as a command. He appeals to Timothy as someone who wants to be “a good servant of Christ Jesus”. He neither says that Timothy must command the believers to consider what he has said regarding marriage and the consumption of food. He has to ‘point out’ these things.
He ought to tell them with sensitivity about what God has meant with marriage and food and drink. It is not only about passing them on in words, but that he also makes it effective for the listeners. In that way he will lay a foundation under the teaching of Paul which in this letter is particularly about the conduct in God’s house. It also concerns everyday matters like weddings and the consumption of food.
When he performs his duty in that way he ‘will be a good servant’, in whom Christ Jesus is being glorified. ‘Servant’ is not an official function, but it indicates an action. It is simply about a person who serves Christ. You can be that too. A good servant takes care of the saints.
He also takes care of his own spiritual health by feeding himself with the Word. “The words of faith” have “nourished” him; he has been and he is being nourished and formed by it. The words of faith are the words that the faith needs, words that strengthens the faith. Those are the words of God’s Word and those are the daily nourishment of the servant. I hope that God’s Word is also your daily nourishment.
By the “sound doctrine”, which implies the truths that are revealed in the Scripture, the servant is being kept alive spiritually. Timothy has, after a careful study of the sound doctrine, appropriated this doctrine for himself and has “been following” it (2 Timothy 3:10; cf. Acts 17:11). That has become visible in his service. Only then is a person able to instruct others what he has learnt. It is also important for you to take in the doctrine of the Scripture first and to practice it before you instruct anything to others (Ezra 7:10).
1 Timothy 4:7. What contradicts the words of the faith and the sound doctrine are “worldly fables fit only for old women”. Paul orders to always reject and condemn this empty talk of silly old chatterboxes. It is in no way in accordance with the things from God and can therefore not nourish the believers. These foolish imaginations are nourishment for gullible people who turn away from God and His Word. They nourish themselves with things that are no food.
After the order to reject something Timothy receives the order to discipline himself in something. Paul calls out to him: “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” That means to exercise or train yourself in what pleases God. You focus on asking yourself in everything you do whether it is the will of God. With this discipline (literally: gymnastics) is not meant intellectual gymnastics to increase your memory, but how your heart and conscience are being disciplined in God’s presence in learning to know His will.
1 Timothy 4:8. This is a learning process where the point is to bring everything, including the small details, to God and to make Him guide you step by step. This discipline will never come to an end on earth. That is different from the “bodily discipline”, which is “only of little profit”. The profit of bodily exercise is measurable and limited to a certain time. It in no way affects eternal life, the life after this life. Neither is it of any use there. However, the discipline for the purpose of Godliness is not only profitable for the body, but also for the spirit and soul.
Paul doesn’t plea for an abstinence of everything regarding the body. He only wants to put it in the true perspective. In the comparison between bodily discipline and the discipline in Godliness the balance must be completely tipped to the side of the commitment to get disciplined in Godliness. His goal is to show that the spiritual training has an immeasurable value, while the bodily training has only a very limited profit.
When there is Godliness things are seen in the light of God. Discipline for the purpose of Godliness brings spirit, soul and body in God’s presence. God promises to show the true meaning of life to those who exercise in it and to give strength to implement this. The value of such a life on earth is already great to God and to the believer himself and this value will also remain in the future. If you focus on God and on doing His will He will fulfill His promise to you. Then you will already enjoy fellowship with God in “the present life” and you will continue to do so in “the [life] to come”. You take it along with you out of this life into eternity.
1 Timothy 4:9. You can be sure that it is like that. With the assertion “it is a trustworthy statement” and the encouragement “deserving full acceptance” the importance of the discipline for the purpose of Godliness is underlined. Because this saying is that trustworthy (God has said it after all) it deserves full acceptance. He who doesn’t accept it, deficits himself tremendously. You can be sure that this saying is truly profitable.
1 Timothy 4:10. It is in any case a saying that means everything to Paul. He has a right view of that promise. He knows that that promise ought to be the center in the life of each believer. Therefore he points out to Timothy his commitment “for this”. With the efforts of all his strength, right up to the brink of exhaustion (that is what the word “labor” means) he wants to convince the believers, including you, to discipline themselves for the purpose of Godliness.
It is really a tough job to ‘keep the minds’ of believers on this because we all easily forget what our life is all about. When you occupy yourself with it, it will also cause battle. You will definitely face powers that want to guide believers the other way. Paul does not avoid the battle that goes together with it. I hope you don’t either.
Bodily discipline is often about the honor of men. In order to persevere in the spiritual labor and battle you should not focus on that, but on the honor of God. Paul fixes his hope on “the living God”. That’s where he draws his strength from to be able to do his heavy duty and to fight the battle that goes together with it. Paul focuses on Him alone. There also is the strength for the service that Timothy has to achieve and also for you and your service.
Of that service people are the object. God Himself gives the example of that service by being the “Savior of all men” as ‘the living God’. The purpose is that they will respond to what God asks of them: to live a Godly life. Only in a life with that quality man finds his true destination and satisfaction. Every other fulfillment of his life dishonors God and is damaging to man himself.
God is ‘the living God’. He, Who has always existed, is the source of life. All life originates from Him. Real life is the life He gives and that is lived for Him. There is no life outside of Him. People who live outside of Him are dead.
In a way all people do enjoy what the believers enjoy unlimited. Although unbelievers do not give thanks to Him for it, He feeds their bodies. He is the ‘Savior’ or ‘Sustainer’ of it. He is not the Savior of the unbelievers in the sense that they are eternally saved, but in the sense that He takes care of them by giving them food (Acts 14:17). God doesn’t despise anything of His creation, not the food nor marriage and nor also man.
Paul, who has no guarantees for a livelihood, knows for sure that God Who is the Savior of all men, is this “especially of believers” (cf. Philippians 4:19; Romans 8:32; 1 Peter 3:12). The assurance of the apostle applies also to you, whatever the test is that you may experience now. It is a good thing to look at the immeasurable privileges you may enjoy as a saved sinner and to be grateful to have eternal life and a heavenly hope. But also never forget the continual and loving care of God that He shows you in everyday matters.
1 Timothy 4:11. Timothy has to “prescribe” the previous matters. ‘Prescribe’ is a stronger word than ‘pointing out’ in 1 Timothy 4:6. He ought to bring forward authoritatively that the negative things quoted, should be omitted and that the positive things should be done. He also ought to “teach these things”, which means that he has to explain what is being prescribed.
Now read 1 Timothy 4:6-11 again.
Reflection: How do you exercise yourself in Godliness?
Hebrews 1:3
Discipline for the Purpose of Godliness
1 Timothy 4:6. Paul orders Timothy to point out “these things” he just mentioned, to the believers. He doesn’t give this order as a command. He appeals to Timothy as someone who wants to be “a good servant of Christ Jesus”. He neither says that Timothy must command the believers to consider what he has said regarding marriage and the consumption of food. He has to ‘point out’ these things.
He ought to tell them with sensitivity about what God has meant with marriage and food and drink. It is not only about passing them on in words, but that he also makes it effective for the listeners. In that way he will lay a foundation under the teaching of Paul which in this letter is particularly about the conduct in God’s house. It also concerns everyday matters like weddings and the consumption of food.
When he performs his duty in that way he ‘will be a good servant’, in whom Christ Jesus is being glorified. ‘Servant’ is not an official function, but it indicates an action. It is simply about a person who serves Christ. You can be that too. A good servant takes care of the saints.
He also takes care of his own spiritual health by feeding himself with the Word. “The words of faith” have “nourished” him; he has been and he is being nourished and formed by it. The words of faith are the words that the faith needs, words that strengthens the faith. Those are the words of God’s Word and those are the daily nourishment of the servant. I hope that God’s Word is also your daily nourishment.
By the “sound doctrine”, which implies the truths that are revealed in the Scripture, the servant is being kept alive spiritually. Timothy has, after a careful study of the sound doctrine, appropriated this doctrine for himself and has “been following” it (2 Timothy 3:10; cf. Acts 17:11). That has become visible in his service. Only then is a person able to instruct others what he has learnt. It is also important for you to take in the doctrine of the Scripture first and to practice it before you instruct anything to others (Ezra 7:10).
1 Timothy 4:7. What contradicts the words of the faith and the sound doctrine are “worldly fables fit only for old women”. Paul orders to always reject and condemn this empty talk of silly old chatterboxes. It is in no way in accordance with the things from God and can therefore not nourish the believers. These foolish imaginations are nourishment for gullible people who turn away from God and His Word. They nourish themselves with things that are no food.
After the order to reject something Timothy receives the order to discipline himself in something. Paul calls out to him: “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” That means to exercise or train yourself in what pleases God. You focus on asking yourself in everything you do whether it is the will of God. With this discipline (literally: gymnastics) is not meant intellectual gymnastics to increase your memory, but how your heart and conscience are being disciplined in God’s presence in learning to know His will.
1 Timothy 4:8. This is a learning process where the point is to bring everything, including the small details, to God and to make Him guide you step by step. This discipline will never come to an end on earth. That is different from the “bodily discipline”, which is “only of little profit”. The profit of bodily exercise is measurable and limited to a certain time. It in no way affects eternal life, the life after this life. Neither is it of any use there. However, the discipline for the purpose of Godliness is not only profitable for the body, but also for the spirit and soul.
Paul doesn’t plea for an abstinence of everything regarding the body. He only wants to put it in the true perspective. In the comparison between bodily discipline and the discipline in Godliness the balance must be completely tipped to the side of the commitment to get disciplined in Godliness. His goal is to show that the spiritual training has an immeasurable value, while the bodily training has only a very limited profit.
When there is Godliness things are seen in the light of God. Discipline for the purpose of Godliness brings spirit, soul and body in God’s presence. God promises to show the true meaning of life to those who exercise in it and to give strength to implement this. The value of such a life on earth is already great to God and to the believer himself and this value will also remain in the future. If you focus on God and on doing His will He will fulfill His promise to you. Then you will already enjoy fellowship with God in “the present life” and you will continue to do so in “the [life] to come”. You take it along with you out of this life into eternity.
1 Timothy 4:9. You can be sure that it is like that. With the assertion “it is a trustworthy statement” and the encouragement “deserving full acceptance” the importance of the discipline for the purpose of Godliness is underlined. Because this saying is that trustworthy (God has said it after all) it deserves full acceptance. He who doesn’t accept it, deficits himself tremendously. You can be sure that this saying is truly profitable.
1 Timothy 4:10. It is in any case a saying that means everything to Paul. He has a right view of that promise. He knows that that promise ought to be the center in the life of each believer. Therefore he points out to Timothy his commitment “for this”. With the efforts of all his strength, right up to the brink of exhaustion (that is what the word “labor” means) he wants to convince the believers, including you, to discipline themselves for the purpose of Godliness.
It is really a tough job to ‘keep the minds’ of believers on this because we all easily forget what our life is all about. When you occupy yourself with it, it will also cause battle. You will definitely face powers that want to guide believers the other way. Paul does not avoid the battle that goes together with it. I hope you don’t either.
Bodily discipline is often about the honor of men. In order to persevere in the spiritual labor and battle you should not focus on that, but on the honor of God. Paul fixes his hope on “the living God”. That’s where he draws his strength from to be able to do his heavy duty and to fight the battle that goes together with it. Paul focuses on Him alone. There also is the strength for the service that Timothy has to achieve and also for you and your service.
Of that service people are the object. God Himself gives the example of that service by being the “Savior of all men” as ‘the living God’. The purpose is that they will respond to what God asks of them: to live a Godly life. Only in a life with that quality man finds his true destination and satisfaction. Every other fulfillment of his life dishonors God and is damaging to man himself.
God is ‘the living God’. He, Who has always existed, is the source of life. All life originates from Him. Real life is the life He gives and that is lived for Him. There is no life outside of Him. People who live outside of Him are dead.
In a way all people do enjoy what the believers enjoy unlimited. Although unbelievers do not give thanks to Him for it, He feeds their bodies. He is the ‘Savior’ or ‘Sustainer’ of it. He is not the Savior of the unbelievers in the sense that they are eternally saved, but in the sense that He takes care of them by giving them food (Acts 14:17). God doesn’t despise anything of His creation, not the food nor marriage and nor also man.
Paul, who has no guarantees for a livelihood, knows for sure that God Who is the Savior of all men, is this “especially of believers” (cf. Philippians 4:19; Romans 8:32; 1 Peter 3:12). The assurance of the apostle applies also to you, whatever the test is that you may experience now. It is a good thing to look at the immeasurable privileges you may enjoy as a saved sinner and to be grateful to have eternal life and a heavenly hope. But also never forget the continual and loving care of God that He shows you in everyday matters.
1 Timothy 4:11. Timothy has to “prescribe” the previous matters. ‘Prescribe’ is a stronger word than ‘pointing out’ in 1 Timothy 4:6. He ought to bring forward authoritatively that the negative things quoted, should be omitted and that the positive things should be done. He also ought to “teach these things”, which means that he has to explain what is being prescribed.
Now read 1 Timothy 4:6-11 again.
Reflection: How do you exercise yourself in Godliness?
Hebrews 1:4
Discipline for the Purpose of Godliness
1 Timothy 4:6. Paul orders Timothy to point out “these things” he just mentioned, to the believers. He doesn’t give this order as a command. He appeals to Timothy as someone who wants to be “a good servant of Christ Jesus”. He neither says that Timothy must command the believers to consider what he has said regarding marriage and the consumption of food. He has to ‘point out’ these things.
He ought to tell them with sensitivity about what God has meant with marriage and food and drink. It is not only about passing them on in words, but that he also makes it effective for the listeners. In that way he will lay a foundation under the teaching of Paul which in this letter is particularly about the conduct in God’s house. It also concerns everyday matters like weddings and the consumption of food.
When he performs his duty in that way he ‘will be a good servant’, in whom Christ Jesus is being glorified. ‘Servant’ is not an official function, but it indicates an action. It is simply about a person who serves Christ. You can be that too. A good servant takes care of the saints.
He also takes care of his own spiritual health by feeding himself with the Word. “The words of faith” have “nourished” him; he has been and he is being nourished and formed by it. The words of faith are the words that the faith needs, words that strengthens the faith. Those are the words of God’s Word and those are the daily nourishment of the servant. I hope that God’s Word is also your daily nourishment.
By the “sound doctrine”, which implies the truths that are revealed in the Scripture, the servant is being kept alive spiritually. Timothy has, after a careful study of the sound doctrine, appropriated this doctrine for himself and has “been following” it (2 Timothy 3:10; cf. Acts 17:11). That has become visible in his service. Only then is a person able to instruct others what he has learnt. It is also important for you to take in the doctrine of the Scripture first and to practice it before you instruct anything to others (Ezra 7:10).
1 Timothy 4:7. What contradicts the words of the faith and the sound doctrine are “worldly fables fit only for old women”. Paul orders to always reject and condemn this empty talk of silly old chatterboxes. It is in no way in accordance with the things from God and can therefore not nourish the believers. These foolish imaginations are nourishment for gullible people who turn away from God and His Word. They nourish themselves with things that are no food.
After the order to reject something Timothy receives the order to discipline himself in something. Paul calls out to him: “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” That means to exercise or train yourself in what pleases God. You focus on asking yourself in everything you do whether it is the will of God. With this discipline (literally: gymnastics) is not meant intellectual gymnastics to increase your memory, but how your heart and conscience are being disciplined in God’s presence in learning to know His will.
1 Timothy 4:8. This is a learning process where the point is to bring everything, including the small details, to God and to make Him guide you step by step. This discipline will never come to an end on earth. That is different from the “bodily discipline”, which is “only of little profit”. The profit of bodily exercise is measurable and limited to a certain time. It in no way affects eternal life, the life after this life. Neither is it of any use there. However, the discipline for the purpose of Godliness is not only profitable for the body, but also for the spirit and soul.
Paul doesn’t plea for an abstinence of everything regarding the body. He only wants to put it in the true perspective. In the comparison between bodily discipline and the discipline in Godliness the balance must be completely tipped to the side of the commitment to get disciplined in Godliness. His goal is to show that the spiritual training has an immeasurable value, while the bodily training has only a very limited profit.
When there is Godliness things are seen in the light of God. Discipline for the purpose of Godliness brings spirit, soul and body in God’s presence. God promises to show the true meaning of life to those who exercise in it and to give strength to implement this. The value of such a life on earth is already great to God and to the believer himself and this value will also remain in the future. If you focus on God and on doing His will He will fulfill His promise to you. Then you will already enjoy fellowship with God in “the present life” and you will continue to do so in “the [life] to come”. You take it along with you out of this life into eternity.
1 Timothy 4:9. You can be sure that it is like that. With the assertion “it is a trustworthy statement” and the encouragement “deserving full acceptance” the importance of the discipline for the purpose of Godliness is underlined. Because this saying is that trustworthy (God has said it after all) it deserves full acceptance. He who doesn’t accept it, deficits himself tremendously. You can be sure that this saying is truly profitable.
1 Timothy 4:10. It is in any case a saying that means everything to Paul. He has a right view of that promise. He knows that that promise ought to be the center in the life of each believer. Therefore he points out to Timothy his commitment “for this”. With the efforts of all his strength, right up to the brink of exhaustion (that is what the word “labor” means) he wants to convince the believers, including you, to discipline themselves for the purpose of Godliness.
It is really a tough job to ‘keep the minds’ of believers on this because we all easily forget what our life is all about. When you occupy yourself with it, it will also cause battle. You will definitely face powers that want to guide believers the other way. Paul does not avoid the battle that goes together with it. I hope you don’t either.
Bodily discipline is often about the honor of men. In order to persevere in the spiritual labor and battle you should not focus on that, but on the honor of God. Paul fixes his hope on “the living God”. That’s where he draws his strength from to be able to do his heavy duty and to fight the battle that goes together with it. Paul focuses on Him alone. There also is the strength for the service that Timothy has to achieve and also for you and your service.
Of that service people are the object. God Himself gives the example of that service by being the “Savior of all men” as ‘the living God’. The purpose is that they will respond to what God asks of them: to live a Godly life. Only in a life with that quality man finds his true destination and satisfaction. Every other fulfillment of his life dishonors God and is damaging to man himself.
God is ‘the living God’. He, Who has always existed, is the source of life. All life originates from Him. Real life is the life He gives and that is lived for Him. There is no life outside of Him. People who live outside of Him are dead.
In a way all people do enjoy what the believers enjoy unlimited. Although unbelievers do not give thanks to Him for it, He feeds their bodies. He is the ‘Savior’ or ‘Sustainer’ of it. He is not the Savior of the unbelievers in the sense that they are eternally saved, but in the sense that He takes care of them by giving them food (Acts 14:17). God doesn’t despise anything of His creation, not the food nor marriage and nor also man.
Paul, who has no guarantees for a livelihood, knows for sure that God Who is the Savior of all men, is this “especially of believers” (cf. Philippians 4:19; Romans 8:32; 1 Peter 3:12). The assurance of the apostle applies also to you, whatever the test is that you may experience now. It is a good thing to look at the immeasurable privileges you may enjoy as a saved sinner and to be grateful to have eternal life and a heavenly hope. But also never forget the continual and loving care of God that He shows you in everyday matters.
1 Timothy 4:11. Timothy has to “prescribe” the previous matters. ‘Prescribe’ is a stronger word than ‘pointing out’ in 1 Timothy 4:6. He ought to bring forward authoritatively that the negative things quoted, should be omitted and that the positive things should be done. He also ought to “teach these things”, which means that he has to explain what is being prescribed.
Now read 1 Timothy 4:6-11 again.
Reflection: How do you exercise yourself in Godliness?
Hebrews 1:5
Discipline for the Purpose of Godliness
1 Timothy 4:6. Paul orders Timothy to point out “these things” he just mentioned, to the believers. He doesn’t give this order as a command. He appeals to Timothy as someone who wants to be “a good servant of Christ Jesus”. He neither says that Timothy must command the believers to consider what he has said regarding marriage and the consumption of food. He has to ‘point out’ these things.
He ought to tell them with sensitivity about what God has meant with marriage and food and drink. It is not only about passing them on in words, but that he also makes it effective for the listeners. In that way he will lay a foundation under the teaching of Paul which in this letter is particularly about the conduct in God’s house. It also concerns everyday matters like weddings and the consumption of food.
When he performs his duty in that way he ‘will be a good servant’, in whom Christ Jesus is being glorified. ‘Servant’ is not an official function, but it indicates an action. It is simply about a person who serves Christ. You can be that too. A good servant takes care of the saints.
He also takes care of his own spiritual health by feeding himself with the Word. “The words of faith” have “nourished” him; he has been and he is being nourished and formed by it. The words of faith are the words that the faith needs, words that strengthens the faith. Those are the words of God’s Word and those are the daily nourishment of the servant. I hope that God’s Word is also your daily nourishment.
By the “sound doctrine”, which implies the truths that are revealed in the Scripture, the servant is being kept alive spiritually. Timothy has, after a careful study of the sound doctrine, appropriated this doctrine for himself and has “been following” it (2 Timothy 3:10; cf. Acts 17:11). That has become visible in his service. Only then is a person able to instruct others what he has learnt. It is also important for you to take in the doctrine of the Scripture first and to practice it before you instruct anything to others (Ezra 7:10).
1 Timothy 4:7. What contradicts the words of the faith and the sound doctrine are “worldly fables fit only for old women”. Paul orders to always reject and condemn this empty talk of silly old chatterboxes. It is in no way in accordance with the things from God and can therefore not nourish the believers. These foolish imaginations are nourishment for gullible people who turn away from God and His Word. They nourish themselves with things that are no food.
After the order to reject something Timothy receives the order to discipline himself in something. Paul calls out to him: “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” That means to exercise or train yourself in what pleases God. You focus on asking yourself in everything you do whether it is the will of God. With this discipline (literally: gymnastics) is not meant intellectual gymnastics to increase your memory, but how your heart and conscience are being disciplined in God’s presence in learning to know His will.
1 Timothy 4:8. This is a learning process where the point is to bring everything, including the small details, to God and to make Him guide you step by step. This discipline will never come to an end on earth. That is different from the “bodily discipline”, which is “only of little profit”. The profit of bodily exercise is measurable and limited to a certain time. It in no way affects eternal life, the life after this life. Neither is it of any use there. However, the discipline for the purpose of Godliness is not only profitable for the body, but also for the spirit and soul.
Paul doesn’t plea for an abstinence of everything regarding the body. He only wants to put it in the true perspective. In the comparison between bodily discipline and the discipline in Godliness the balance must be completely tipped to the side of the commitment to get disciplined in Godliness. His goal is to show that the spiritual training has an immeasurable value, while the bodily training has only a very limited profit.
When there is Godliness things are seen in the light of God. Discipline for the purpose of Godliness brings spirit, soul and body in God’s presence. God promises to show the true meaning of life to those who exercise in it and to give strength to implement this. The value of such a life on earth is already great to God and to the believer himself and this value will also remain in the future. If you focus on God and on doing His will He will fulfill His promise to you. Then you will already enjoy fellowship with God in “the present life” and you will continue to do so in “the [life] to come”. You take it along with you out of this life into eternity.
1 Timothy 4:9. You can be sure that it is like that. With the assertion “it is a trustworthy statement” and the encouragement “deserving full acceptance” the importance of the discipline for the purpose of Godliness is underlined. Because this saying is that trustworthy (God has said it after all) it deserves full acceptance. He who doesn’t accept it, deficits himself tremendously. You can be sure that this saying is truly profitable.
1 Timothy 4:10. It is in any case a saying that means everything to Paul. He has a right view of that promise. He knows that that promise ought to be the center in the life of each believer. Therefore he points out to Timothy his commitment “for this”. With the efforts of all his strength, right up to the brink of exhaustion (that is what the word “labor” means) he wants to convince the believers, including you, to discipline themselves for the purpose of Godliness.
It is really a tough job to ‘keep the minds’ of believers on this because we all easily forget what our life is all about. When you occupy yourself with it, it will also cause battle. You will definitely face powers that want to guide believers the other way. Paul does not avoid the battle that goes together with it. I hope you don’t either.
Bodily discipline is often about the honor of men. In order to persevere in the spiritual labor and battle you should not focus on that, but on the honor of God. Paul fixes his hope on “the living God”. That’s where he draws his strength from to be able to do his heavy duty and to fight the battle that goes together with it. Paul focuses on Him alone. There also is the strength for the service that Timothy has to achieve and also for you and your service.
Of that service people are the object. God Himself gives the example of that service by being the “Savior of all men” as ‘the living God’. The purpose is that they will respond to what God asks of them: to live a Godly life. Only in a life with that quality man finds his true destination and satisfaction. Every other fulfillment of his life dishonors God and is damaging to man himself.
God is ‘the living God’. He, Who has always existed, is the source of life. All life originates from Him. Real life is the life He gives and that is lived for Him. There is no life outside of Him. People who live outside of Him are dead.
In a way all people do enjoy what the believers enjoy unlimited. Although unbelievers do not give thanks to Him for it, He feeds their bodies. He is the ‘Savior’ or ‘Sustainer’ of it. He is not the Savior of the unbelievers in the sense that they are eternally saved, but in the sense that He takes care of them by giving them food (Acts 14:17). God doesn’t despise anything of His creation, not the food nor marriage and nor also man.
Paul, who has no guarantees for a livelihood, knows for sure that God Who is the Savior of all men, is this “especially of believers” (cf. Philippians 4:19; Romans 8:32; 1 Peter 3:12). The assurance of the apostle applies also to you, whatever the test is that you may experience now. It is a good thing to look at the immeasurable privileges you may enjoy as a saved sinner and to be grateful to have eternal life and a heavenly hope. But also never forget the continual and loving care of God that He shows you in everyday matters.
1 Timothy 4:11. Timothy has to “prescribe” the previous matters. ‘Prescribe’ is a stronger word than ‘pointing out’ in 1 Timothy 4:6. He ought to bring forward authoritatively that the negative things quoted, should be omitted and that the positive things should be done. He also ought to “teach these things”, which means that he has to explain what is being prescribed.
Now read 1 Timothy 4:6-11 again.
Reflection: How do you exercise yourself in Godliness?
Hebrews 1:6
Discipline for the Purpose of Godliness
1 Timothy 4:6. Paul orders Timothy to point out “these things” he just mentioned, to the believers. He doesn’t give this order as a command. He appeals to Timothy as someone who wants to be “a good servant of Christ Jesus”. He neither says that Timothy must command the believers to consider what he has said regarding marriage and the consumption of food. He has to ‘point out’ these things.
He ought to tell them with sensitivity about what God has meant with marriage and food and drink. It is not only about passing them on in words, but that he also makes it effective for the listeners. In that way he will lay a foundation under the teaching of Paul which in this letter is particularly about the conduct in God’s house. It also concerns everyday matters like weddings and the consumption of food.
When he performs his duty in that way he ‘will be a good servant’, in whom Christ Jesus is being glorified. ‘Servant’ is not an official function, but it indicates an action. It is simply about a person who serves Christ. You can be that too. A good servant takes care of the saints.
He also takes care of his own spiritual health by feeding himself with the Word. “The words of faith” have “nourished” him; he has been and he is being nourished and formed by it. The words of faith are the words that the faith needs, words that strengthens the faith. Those are the words of God’s Word and those are the daily nourishment of the servant. I hope that God’s Word is also your daily nourishment.
By the “sound doctrine”, which implies the truths that are revealed in the Scripture, the servant is being kept alive spiritually. Timothy has, after a careful study of the sound doctrine, appropriated this doctrine for himself and has “been following” it (2 Timothy 3:10; cf. Acts 17:11). That has become visible in his service. Only then is a person able to instruct others what he has learnt. It is also important for you to take in the doctrine of the Scripture first and to practice it before you instruct anything to others (Ezra 7:10).
1 Timothy 4:7. What contradicts the words of the faith and the sound doctrine are “worldly fables fit only for old women”. Paul orders to always reject and condemn this empty talk of silly old chatterboxes. It is in no way in accordance with the things from God and can therefore not nourish the believers. These foolish imaginations are nourishment for gullible people who turn away from God and His Word. They nourish themselves with things that are no food.
After the order to reject something Timothy receives the order to discipline himself in something. Paul calls out to him: “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” That means to exercise or train yourself in what pleases God. You focus on asking yourself in everything you do whether it is the will of God. With this discipline (literally: gymnastics) is not meant intellectual gymnastics to increase your memory, but how your heart and conscience are being disciplined in God’s presence in learning to know His will.
1 Timothy 4:8. This is a learning process where the point is to bring everything, including the small details, to God and to make Him guide you step by step. This discipline will never come to an end on earth. That is different from the “bodily discipline”, which is “only of little profit”. The profit of bodily exercise is measurable and limited to a certain time. It in no way affects eternal life, the life after this life. Neither is it of any use there. However, the discipline for the purpose of Godliness is not only profitable for the body, but also for the spirit and soul.
Paul doesn’t plea for an abstinence of everything regarding the body. He only wants to put it in the true perspective. In the comparison between bodily discipline and the discipline in Godliness the balance must be completely tipped to the side of the commitment to get disciplined in Godliness. His goal is to show that the spiritual training has an immeasurable value, while the bodily training has only a very limited profit.
When there is Godliness things are seen in the light of God. Discipline for the purpose of Godliness brings spirit, soul and body in God’s presence. God promises to show the true meaning of life to those who exercise in it and to give strength to implement this. The value of such a life on earth is already great to God and to the believer himself and this value will also remain in the future. If you focus on God and on doing His will He will fulfill His promise to you. Then you will already enjoy fellowship with God in “the present life” and you will continue to do so in “the [life] to come”. You take it along with you out of this life into eternity.
1 Timothy 4:9. You can be sure that it is like that. With the assertion “it is a trustworthy statement” and the encouragement “deserving full acceptance” the importance of the discipline for the purpose of Godliness is underlined. Because this saying is that trustworthy (God has said it after all) it deserves full acceptance. He who doesn’t accept it, deficits himself tremendously. You can be sure that this saying is truly profitable.
1 Timothy 4:10. It is in any case a saying that means everything to Paul. He has a right view of that promise. He knows that that promise ought to be the center in the life of each believer. Therefore he points out to Timothy his commitment “for this”. With the efforts of all his strength, right up to the brink of exhaustion (that is what the word “labor” means) he wants to convince the believers, including you, to discipline themselves for the purpose of Godliness.
It is really a tough job to ‘keep the minds’ of believers on this because we all easily forget what our life is all about. When you occupy yourself with it, it will also cause battle. You will definitely face powers that want to guide believers the other way. Paul does not avoid the battle that goes together with it. I hope you don’t either.
Bodily discipline is often about the honor of men. In order to persevere in the spiritual labor and battle you should not focus on that, but on the honor of God. Paul fixes his hope on “the living God”. That’s where he draws his strength from to be able to do his heavy duty and to fight the battle that goes together with it. Paul focuses on Him alone. There also is the strength for the service that Timothy has to achieve and also for you and your service.
Of that service people are the object. God Himself gives the example of that service by being the “Savior of all men” as ‘the living God’. The purpose is that they will respond to what God asks of them: to live a Godly life. Only in a life with that quality man finds his true destination and satisfaction. Every other fulfillment of his life dishonors God and is damaging to man himself.
God is ‘the living God’. He, Who has always existed, is the source of life. All life originates from Him. Real life is the life He gives and that is lived for Him. There is no life outside of Him. People who live outside of Him are dead.
In a way all people do enjoy what the believers enjoy unlimited. Although unbelievers do not give thanks to Him for it, He feeds their bodies. He is the ‘Savior’ or ‘Sustainer’ of it. He is not the Savior of the unbelievers in the sense that they are eternally saved, but in the sense that He takes care of them by giving them food (Acts 14:17). God doesn’t despise anything of His creation, not the food nor marriage and nor also man.
Paul, who has no guarantees for a livelihood, knows for sure that God Who is the Savior of all men, is this “especially of believers” (cf. Philippians 4:19; Romans 8:32; 1 Peter 3:12). The assurance of the apostle applies also to you, whatever the test is that you may experience now. It is a good thing to look at the immeasurable privileges you may enjoy as a saved sinner and to be grateful to have eternal life and a heavenly hope. But also never forget the continual and loving care of God that He shows you in everyday matters.
1 Timothy 4:11. Timothy has to “prescribe” the previous matters. ‘Prescribe’ is a stronger word than ‘pointing out’ in 1 Timothy 4:6. He ought to bring forward authoritatively that the negative things quoted, should be omitted and that the positive things should be done. He also ought to “teach these things”, which means that he has to explain what is being prescribed.
Now read 1 Timothy 4:6-11 again.
Reflection: How do you exercise yourself in Godliness?
Hebrews 1:7
Exhortations for the Servant
These verses are filled with exhortations. In a direct sense they apply to Timothy, but at the same time they apply to each servant in all times. Therefore also to you now. You also find in it the secret of the personal testimony. You will also find in it the power that you need in your service toward people. In these verses you read how the servant lives in the awareness of grace (1 Timothy 4:12), how he serves with his spiritual gift (1 Timothy 4:13-14) and how he develops himself spiritually (1 Timothy 4:15-16).
1 Timothy 4:12. The first remark has to do with his age. Each age goes together with a certain pattern of conduct. As a young believer it is not appropriate to behave yourself as if you already know a lot of the Bible or as if you already have had a lot of experiences with the Lord. From an older believer a certain knowledge and maturity may be expected.
Now Timothy was, according to our conception, not that young anymore. Suppose he was about twenty years old when Paul took him along with him somewhere around the year 50 on his second mission trip (Acts 16:3). Then here he must have been thirty three years old, which was according to the standards of that time, still young. When Luke calls Saul a young man (Acts 7:58), he must also have been in his thirties.
Timothy ought to behave himself in a way that matches with his age, so that he doesn’t cause despise. This remark is also meant for those who were going to read this letter. His relatively few years of age could possibly cause a feeling of despise to the old class of believers when he would speak authoritatively. Because of his natural timidity (1 Corinthians 16:11) he could be inclined to behave a little bit reticent. That would be damaging for the spiritual welfare of the believers.
But Timothy ought not to think that he could expect his commands to be obeyed purely on the ground of his authority. Paul points out to him that he also had the responsibility to be “an example”. His example will be of help for the believers. They could then see how they can manage to bring the commands into practice.
He ought to be an example “in speech” and “conduct”. Speech and conduct (or walk) encompasses the whole life. In his words there should not be found insincerity and no recklessness to be heard. That regards both the personal and the public speech. He must choose his words carefully and be careful with it. His conduct covers the whole way of his living. Wherever he goes or finds himself his conduct always ought to be that of a faithful disciple of the Lord Jesus.
His contacts with the fellow believers must be “in love, faith [and] purity”. He must not deal out of an emotional impulse. His sincere interest in the wellbeing of the other person must be the result of his love for God that is poured out in his heart by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). Thereby he can trust in God and in His Word. Others will be able to see the results of his faith in his life.
What is rooted in love and faith is also pure. It disgusts everything what is unclean. His contacts with others, especially with somebody from the other sex, must take place in purity. It is in the time we live not an unnecessary luxury to emphasize that. Keep yourself in purity in all aspects of your life. It doesn’t matter whether it is at school or on the working floor or with a certain service for the Lord, or whatever it is.
1 Timothy 4:13. The exhortation in this verse refers particularly to what Timothy has to do in the meeting and that persistently. He had to “give attention to the [public] reading” again and again. In those days not everyone owns the Holy Scriptures themselves. Therefore the attention to reading aloud was important. The Lord Jesus also read aloud or public (Luke 4:16-27; cf. Acts 13:15a; 2 Corinthians 3:14).
The attention to reading aloud the Holy Scripture is the foundation of all Christian teaching. It was then the means of passing on the truth. The attention to reading aloud already gives, when it happens and is heard in a spirit of subjection, abundant fruit.
After the attention to reading aloud comes “exhortation and teaching”. The ‘exhortation’ is the application to the heart and the conscience of what has been read (Acts 13:15b). That should lead to a certain conduct which is in accordance with that Scripture. It can be a correction of wrong behavior. It can also be an encouragement to continue in some way and not to change the conduct. The ‘teaching’ is the explanation of what has been read aloud so that it is understood. In a gathering where the reading of God’s Word is in the center both aspects are of great importance. As long as Paul has not come Timothy must continue with it.
1 Timothy 4:14. To encourage this service Paul points to the gift within him. It is not said which gift it is precisely. To have a gift, and each believer has one (so do you), implies the responsibility to use it. Here you read about the danger to neglect it. That can happen in different ways, for example by being indifferent, slackness or by considering other things to be more important.
Regarding Timothy, there is a danger in his timidity. Therefore Paul reminds him that according to the prophecies previously made, he was to be called for a special service (1 Timothy 1:18). Then he reminds him of another peculiarity: the laying on of the hands of the presbytery (or eldership) as a proof of their approval with his service. The laying on of the hands doesn’t mean a consecration or calling, but to identify oneself, to have fellowship (1 Timothy 5:22; Acts 6:6; Acts 13:3; Leviticus 1:4; Leviticus 4:4).
1 Timothy 4:15. By reminding him of these things Paul wants to encourage Timothy. When Paul then says “take pains with these things; be [absorbed] in them”, his exhortation will receive a positive response. Prescribing these things (1 Timothy 4:11) to others is only effective when he takes them to heart himself. The heart must be involved. To do things as an obligation is not enough if you want your message to be received. It is essential to give yourself entirely to it, to immerse yourself in the message. All your thoughts, time and abilities must be focused on these things.
A walk in the Lord cannot remain unnoticed. It makes a profound impression and it radiates authority. Every criticism on your service or age will therefore fall silent. The progress you make in knowing the will of the Lord, in order to practice it in your own life and in the life of the listeners, is a matter that “will be evident to all”.
Making progress is not without exertion. The word ‘progress’ describes a vanguard making its way through a difficult terrain or jungle under great effort. But through these efforts you will gain more and more capacity to judge things according to the Scripture and to speak spiritually to the benefit of souls.
1 Timothy 4:16. Before you are able to serve others you will have to make sure that your own life is in accordance with the truth (Acts 20:28). Only then you are suited and able to make sure that only the sound doctrine is taught and to detect and reject every deviation. Therefore all that matters is perseverance not to deviate yourself on the one hand and on the other hand continue to teach the sound doctrine without interruption.
If you are spiritually active in such a way, it will have beneficial consequences for both you and others. You and those who hear you will then achieve the final destiny safely. The salvation mentioned here is to remain safe through the many dangers on the road to glory. These dangers consist of evil doctrines and practices for which you are warned at the beginning of this chapter. You see that your responsibility as a servant is major, but there is also a major blessing attached to faithfulness.
Now read 1 Timothy 4:12-16 again.
Reflection: How many and which exhortations are there in these verses?
Hebrews 1:8
Exhortations for the Servant
These verses are filled with exhortations. In a direct sense they apply to Timothy, but at the same time they apply to each servant in all times. Therefore also to you now. You also find in it the secret of the personal testimony. You will also find in it the power that you need in your service toward people. In these verses you read how the servant lives in the awareness of grace (1 Timothy 4:12), how he serves with his spiritual gift (1 Timothy 4:13-14) and how he develops himself spiritually (1 Timothy 4:15-16).
1 Timothy 4:12. The first remark has to do with his age. Each age goes together with a certain pattern of conduct. As a young believer it is not appropriate to behave yourself as if you already know a lot of the Bible or as if you already have had a lot of experiences with the Lord. From an older believer a certain knowledge and maturity may be expected.
Now Timothy was, according to our conception, not that young anymore. Suppose he was about twenty years old when Paul took him along with him somewhere around the year 50 on his second mission trip (Acts 16:3). Then here he must have been thirty three years old, which was according to the standards of that time, still young. When Luke calls Saul a young man (Acts 7:58), he must also have been in his thirties.
Timothy ought to behave himself in a way that matches with his age, so that he doesn’t cause despise. This remark is also meant for those who were going to read this letter. His relatively few years of age could possibly cause a feeling of despise to the old class of believers when he would speak authoritatively. Because of his natural timidity (1 Corinthians 16:11) he could be inclined to behave a little bit reticent. That would be damaging for the spiritual welfare of the believers.
But Timothy ought not to think that he could expect his commands to be obeyed purely on the ground of his authority. Paul points out to him that he also had the responsibility to be “an example”. His example will be of help for the believers. They could then see how they can manage to bring the commands into practice.
He ought to be an example “in speech” and “conduct”. Speech and conduct (or walk) encompasses the whole life. In his words there should not be found insincerity and no recklessness to be heard. That regards both the personal and the public speech. He must choose his words carefully and be careful with it. His conduct covers the whole way of his living. Wherever he goes or finds himself his conduct always ought to be that of a faithful disciple of the Lord Jesus.
His contacts with the fellow believers must be “in love, faith [and] purity”. He must not deal out of an emotional impulse. His sincere interest in the wellbeing of the other person must be the result of his love for God that is poured out in his heart by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). Thereby he can trust in God and in His Word. Others will be able to see the results of his faith in his life.
What is rooted in love and faith is also pure. It disgusts everything what is unclean. His contacts with others, especially with somebody from the other sex, must take place in purity. It is in the time we live not an unnecessary luxury to emphasize that. Keep yourself in purity in all aspects of your life. It doesn’t matter whether it is at school or on the working floor or with a certain service for the Lord, or whatever it is.
1 Timothy 4:13. The exhortation in this verse refers particularly to what Timothy has to do in the meeting and that persistently. He had to “give attention to the [public] reading” again and again. In those days not everyone owns the Holy Scriptures themselves. Therefore the attention to reading aloud was important. The Lord Jesus also read aloud or public (Luke 4:16-27; cf. Acts 13:15a; 2 Corinthians 3:14).
The attention to reading aloud the Holy Scripture is the foundation of all Christian teaching. It was then the means of passing on the truth. The attention to reading aloud already gives, when it happens and is heard in a spirit of subjection, abundant fruit.
After the attention to reading aloud comes “exhortation and teaching”. The ‘exhortation’ is the application to the heart and the conscience of what has been read (Acts 13:15b). That should lead to a certain conduct which is in accordance with that Scripture. It can be a correction of wrong behavior. It can also be an encouragement to continue in some way and not to change the conduct. The ‘teaching’ is the explanation of what has been read aloud so that it is understood. In a gathering where the reading of God’s Word is in the center both aspects are of great importance. As long as Paul has not come Timothy must continue with it.
1 Timothy 4:14. To encourage this service Paul points to the gift within him. It is not said which gift it is precisely. To have a gift, and each believer has one (so do you), implies the responsibility to use it. Here you read about the danger to neglect it. That can happen in different ways, for example by being indifferent, slackness or by considering other things to be more important.
Regarding Timothy, there is a danger in his timidity. Therefore Paul reminds him that according to the prophecies previously made, he was to be called for a special service (1 Timothy 1:18). Then he reminds him of another peculiarity: the laying on of the hands of the presbytery (or eldership) as a proof of their approval with his service. The laying on of the hands doesn’t mean a consecration or calling, but to identify oneself, to have fellowship (1 Timothy 5:22; Acts 6:6; Acts 13:3; Leviticus 1:4; Leviticus 4:4).
1 Timothy 4:15. By reminding him of these things Paul wants to encourage Timothy. When Paul then says “take pains with these things; be [absorbed] in them”, his exhortation will receive a positive response. Prescribing these things (1 Timothy 4:11) to others is only effective when he takes them to heart himself. The heart must be involved. To do things as an obligation is not enough if you want your message to be received. It is essential to give yourself entirely to it, to immerse yourself in the message. All your thoughts, time and abilities must be focused on these things.
A walk in the Lord cannot remain unnoticed. It makes a profound impression and it radiates authority. Every criticism on your service or age will therefore fall silent. The progress you make in knowing the will of the Lord, in order to practice it in your own life and in the life of the listeners, is a matter that “will be evident to all”.
Making progress is not without exertion. The word ‘progress’ describes a vanguard making its way through a difficult terrain or jungle under great effort. But through these efforts you will gain more and more capacity to judge things according to the Scripture and to speak spiritually to the benefit of souls.
1 Timothy 4:16. Before you are able to serve others you will have to make sure that your own life is in accordance with the truth (Acts 20:28). Only then you are suited and able to make sure that only the sound doctrine is taught and to detect and reject every deviation. Therefore all that matters is perseverance not to deviate yourself on the one hand and on the other hand continue to teach the sound doctrine without interruption.
If you are spiritually active in such a way, it will have beneficial consequences for both you and others. You and those who hear you will then achieve the final destiny safely. The salvation mentioned here is to remain safe through the many dangers on the road to glory. These dangers consist of evil doctrines and practices for which you are warned at the beginning of this chapter. You see that your responsibility as a servant is major, but there is also a major blessing attached to faithfulness.
Now read 1 Timothy 4:12-16 again.
Reflection: How many and which exhortations are there in these verses?
Hebrews 1:9
Exhortations for the Servant
These verses are filled with exhortations. In a direct sense they apply to Timothy, but at the same time they apply to each servant in all times. Therefore also to you now. You also find in it the secret of the personal testimony. You will also find in it the power that you need in your service toward people. In these verses you read how the servant lives in the awareness of grace (1 Timothy 4:12), how he serves with his spiritual gift (1 Timothy 4:13-14) and how he develops himself spiritually (1 Timothy 4:15-16).
1 Timothy 4:12. The first remark has to do with his age. Each age goes together with a certain pattern of conduct. As a young believer it is not appropriate to behave yourself as if you already know a lot of the Bible or as if you already have had a lot of experiences with the Lord. From an older believer a certain knowledge and maturity may be expected.
Now Timothy was, according to our conception, not that young anymore. Suppose he was about twenty years old when Paul took him along with him somewhere around the year 50 on his second mission trip (Acts 16:3). Then here he must have been thirty three years old, which was according to the standards of that time, still young. When Luke calls Saul a young man (Acts 7:58), he must also have been in his thirties.
Timothy ought to behave himself in a way that matches with his age, so that he doesn’t cause despise. This remark is also meant for those who were going to read this letter. His relatively few years of age could possibly cause a feeling of despise to the old class of believers when he would speak authoritatively. Because of his natural timidity (1 Corinthians 16:11) he could be inclined to behave a little bit reticent. That would be damaging for the spiritual welfare of the believers.
But Timothy ought not to think that he could expect his commands to be obeyed purely on the ground of his authority. Paul points out to him that he also had the responsibility to be “an example”. His example will be of help for the believers. They could then see how they can manage to bring the commands into practice.
He ought to be an example “in speech” and “conduct”. Speech and conduct (or walk) encompasses the whole life. In his words there should not be found insincerity and no recklessness to be heard. That regards both the personal and the public speech. He must choose his words carefully and be careful with it. His conduct covers the whole way of his living. Wherever he goes or finds himself his conduct always ought to be that of a faithful disciple of the Lord Jesus.
His contacts with the fellow believers must be “in love, faith [and] purity”. He must not deal out of an emotional impulse. His sincere interest in the wellbeing of the other person must be the result of his love for God that is poured out in his heart by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). Thereby he can trust in God and in His Word. Others will be able to see the results of his faith in his life.
What is rooted in love and faith is also pure. It disgusts everything what is unclean. His contacts with others, especially with somebody from the other sex, must take place in purity. It is in the time we live not an unnecessary luxury to emphasize that. Keep yourself in purity in all aspects of your life. It doesn’t matter whether it is at school or on the working floor or with a certain service for the Lord, or whatever it is.
1 Timothy 4:13. The exhortation in this verse refers particularly to what Timothy has to do in the meeting and that persistently. He had to “give attention to the [public] reading” again and again. In those days not everyone owns the Holy Scriptures themselves. Therefore the attention to reading aloud was important. The Lord Jesus also read aloud or public (Luke 4:16-27; cf. Acts 13:15a; 2 Corinthians 3:14).
The attention to reading aloud the Holy Scripture is the foundation of all Christian teaching. It was then the means of passing on the truth. The attention to reading aloud already gives, when it happens and is heard in a spirit of subjection, abundant fruit.
After the attention to reading aloud comes “exhortation and teaching”. The ‘exhortation’ is the application to the heart and the conscience of what has been read (Acts 13:15b). That should lead to a certain conduct which is in accordance with that Scripture. It can be a correction of wrong behavior. It can also be an encouragement to continue in some way and not to change the conduct. The ‘teaching’ is the explanation of what has been read aloud so that it is understood. In a gathering where the reading of God’s Word is in the center both aspects are of great importance. As long as Paul has not come Timothy must continue with it.
1 Timothy 4:14. To encourage this service Paul points to the gift within him. It is not said which gift it is precisely. To have a gift, and each believer has one (so do you), implies the responsibility to use it. Here you read about the danger to neglect it. That can happen in different ways, for example by being indifferent, slackness or by considering other things to be more important.
Regarding Timothy, there is a danger in his timidity. Therefore Paul reminds him that according to the prophecies previously made, he was to be called for a special service (1 Timothy 1:18). Then he reminds him of another peculiarity: the laying on of the hands of the presbytery (or eldership) as a proof of their approval with his service. The laying on of the hands doesn’t mean a consecration or calling, but to identify oneself, to have fellowship (1 Timothy 5:22; Acts 6:6; Acts 13:3; Leviticus 1:4; Leviticus 4:4).
1 Timothy 4:15. By reminding him of these things Paul wants to encourage Timothy. When Paul then says “take pains with these things; be [absorbed] in them”, his exhortation will receive a positive response. Prescribing these things (1 Timothy 4:11) to others is only effective when he takes them to heart himself. The heart must be involved. To do things as an obligation is not enough if you want your message to be received. It is essential to give yourself entirely to it, to immerse yourself in the message. All your thoughts, time and abilities must be focused on these things.
A walk in the Lord cannot remain unnoticed. It makes a profound impression and it radiates authority. Every criticism on your service or age will therefore fall silent. The progress you make in knowing the will of the Lord, in order to practice it in your own life and in the life of the listeners, is a matter that “will be evident to all”.
Making progress is not without exertion. The word ‘progress’ describes a vanguard making its way through a difficult terrain or jungle under great effort. But through these efforts you will gain more and more capacity to judge things according to the Scripture and to speak spiritually to the benefit of souls.
1 Timothy 4:16. Before you are able to serve others you will have to make sure that your own life is in accordance with the truth (Acts 20:28). Only then you are suited and able to make sure that only the sound doctrine is taught and to detect and reject every deviation. Therefore all that matters is perseverance not to deviate yourself on the one hand and on the other hand continue to teach the sound doctrine without interruption.
If you are spiritually active in such a way, it will have beneficial consequences for both you and others. You and those who hear you will then achieve the final destiny safely. The salvation mentioned here is to remain safe through the many dangers on the road to glory. These dangers consist of evil doctrines and practices for which you are warned at the beginning of this chapter. You see that your responsibility as a servant is major, but there is also a major blessing attached to faithfulness.
Now read 1 Timothy 4:12-16 again.
Reflection: How many and which exhortations are there in these verses?
Hebrews 1:10
Exhortations for the Servant
These verses are filled with exhortations. In a direct sense they apply to Timothy, but at the same time they apply to each servant in all times. Therefore also to you now. You also find in it the secret of the personal testimony. You will also find in it the power that you need in your service toward people. In these verses you read how the servant lives in the awareness of grace (1 Timothy 4:12), how he serves with his spiritual gift (1 Timothy 4:13-14) and how he develops himself spiritually (1 Timothy 4:15-16).
1 Timothy 4:12. The first remark has to do with his age. Each age goes together with a certain pattern of conduct. As a young believer it is not appropriate to behave yourself as if you already know a lot of the Bible or as if you already have had a lot of experiences with the Lord. From an older believer a certain knowledge and maturity may be expected.
Now Timothy was, according to our conception, not that young anymore. Suppose he was about twenty years old when Paul took him along with him somewhere around the year 50 on his second mission trip (Acts 16:3). Then here he must have been thirty three years old, which was according to the standards of that time, still young. When Luke calls Saul a young man (Acts 7:58), he must also have been in his thirties.
Timothy ought to behave himself in a way that matches with his age, so that he doesn’t cause despise. This remark is also meant for those who were going to read this letter. His relatively few years of age could possibly cause a feeling of despise to the old class of believers when he would speak authoritatively. Because of his natural timidity (1 Corinthians 16:11) he could be inclined to behave a little bit reticent. That would be damaging for the spiritual welfare of the believers.
But Timothy ought not to think that he could expect his commands to be obeyed purely on the ground of his authority. Paul points out to him that he also had the responsibility to be “an example”. His example will be of help for the believers. They could then see how they can manage to bring the commands into practice.
He ought to be an example “in speech” and “conduct”. Speech and conduct (or walk) encompasses the whole life. In his words there should not be found insincerity and no recklessness to be heard. That regards both the personal and the public speech. He must choose his words carefully and be careful with it. His conduct covers the whole way of his living. Wherever he goes or finds himself his conduct always ought to be that of a faithful disciple of the Lord Jesus.
His contacts with the fellow believers must be “in love, faith [and] purity”. He must not deal out of an emotional impulse. His sincere interest in the wellbeing of the other person must be the result of his love for God that is poured out in his heart by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). Thereby he can trust in God and in His Word. Others will be able to see the results of his faith in his life.
What is rooted in love and faith is also pure. It disgusts everything what is unclean. His contacts with others, especially with somebody from the other sex, must take place in purity. It is in the time we live not an unnecessary luxury to emphasize that. Keep yourself in purity in all aspects of your life. It doesn’t matter whether it is at school or on the working floor or with a certain service for the Lord, or whatever it is.
1 Timothy 4:13. The exhortation in this verse refers particularly to what Timothy has to do in the meeting and that persistently. He had to “give attention to the [public] reading” again and again. In those days not everyone owns the Holy Scriptures themselves. Therefore the attention to reading aloud was important. The Lord Jesus also read aloud or public (Luke 4:16-27; cf. Acts 13:15a; 2 Corinthians 3:14).
The attention to reading aloud the Holy Scripture is the foundation of all Christian teaching. It was then the means of passing on the truth. The attention to reading aloud already gives, when it happens and is heard in a spirit of subjection, abundant fruit.
After the attention to reading aloud comes “exhortation and teaching”. The ‘exhortation’ is the application to the heart and the conscience of what has been read (Acts 13:15b). That should lead to a certain conduct which is in accordance with that Scripture. It can be a correction of wrong behavior. It can also be an encouragement to continue in some way and not to change the conduct. The ‘teaching’ is the explanation of what has been read aloud so that it is understood. In a gathering where the reading of God’s Word is in the center both aspects are of great importance. As long as Paul has not come Timothy must continue with it.
1 Timothy 4:14. To encourage this service Paul points to the gift within him. It is not said which gift it is precisely. To have a gift, and each believer has one (so do you), implies the responsibility to use it. Here you read about the danger to neglect it. That can happen in different ways, for example by being indifferent, slackness or by considering other things to be more important.
Regarding Timothy, there is a danger in his timidity. Therefore Paul reminds him that according to the prophecies previously made, he was to be called for a special service (1 Timothy 1:18). Then he reminds him of another peculiarity: the laying on of the hands of the presbytery (or eldership) as a proof of their approval with his service. The laying on of the hands doesn’t mean a consecration or calling, but to identify oneself, to have fellowship (1 Timothy 5:22; Acts 6:6; Acts 13:3; Leviticus 1:4; Leviticus 4:4).
1 Timothy 4:15. By reminding him of these things Paul wants to encourage Timothy. When Paul then says “take pains with these things; be [absorbed] in them”, his exhortation will receive a positive response. Prescribing these things (1 Timothy 4:11) to others is only effective when he takes them to heart himself. The heart must be involved. To do things as an obligation is not enough if you want your message to be received. It is essential to give yourself entirely to it, to immerse yourself in the message. All your thoughts, time and abilities must be focused on these things.
A walk in the Lord cannot remain unnoticed. It makes a profound impression and it radiates authority. Every criticism on your service or age will therefore fall silent. The progress you make in knowing the will of the Lord, in order to practice it in your own life and in the life of the listeners, is a matter that “will be evident to all”.
Making progress is not without exertion. The word ‘progress’ describes a vanguard making its way through a difficult terrain or jungle under great effort. But through these efforts you will gain more and more capacity to judge things according to the Scripture and to speak spiritually to the benefit of souls.
1 Timothy 4:16. Before you are able to serve others you will have to make sure that your own life is in accordance with the truth (Acts 20:28). Only then you are suited and able to make sure that only the sound doctrine is taught and to detect and reject every deviation. Therefore all that matters is perseverance not to deviate yourself on the one hand and on the other hand continue to teach the sound doctrine without interruption.
If you are spiritually active in such a way, it will have beneficial consequences for both you and others. You and those who hear you will then achieve the final destiny safely. The salvation mentioned here is to remain safe through the many dangers on the road to glory. These dangers consist of evil doctrines and practices for which you are warned at the beginning of this chapter. You see that your responsibility as a servant is major, but there is also a major blessing attached to faithfulness.
Now read 1 Timothy 4:12-16 again.
Reflection: How many and which exhortations are there in these verses?
Hebrews 1:11
Exhortations for the Servant
These verses are filled with exhortations. In a direct sense they apply to Timothy, but at the same time they apply to each servant in all times. Therefore also to you now. You also find in it the secret of the personal testimony. You will also find in it the power that you need in your service toward people. In these verses you read how the servant lives in the awareness of grace (1 Timothy 4:12), how he serves with his spiritual gift (1 Timothy 4:13-14) and how he develops himself spiritually (1 Timothy 4:15-16).
1 Timothy 4:12. The first remark has to do with his age. Each age goes together with a certain pattern of conduct. As a young believer it is not appropriate to behave yourself as if you already know a lot of the Bible or as if you already have had a lot of experiences with the Lord. From an older believer a certain knowledge and maturity may be expected.
Now Timothy was, according to our conception, not that young anymore. Suppose he was about twenty years old when Paul took him along with him somewhere around the year 50 on his second mission trip (Acts 16:3). Then here he must have been thirty three years old, which was according to the standards of that time, still young. When Luke calls Saul a young man (Acts 7:58), he must also have been in his thirties.
Timothy ought to behave himself in a way that matches with his age, so that he doesn’t cause despise. This remark is also meant for those who were going to read this letter. His relatively few years of age could possibly cause a feeling of despise to the old class of believers when he would speak authoritatively. Because of his natural timidity (1 Corinthians 16:11) he could be inclined to behave a little bit reticent. That would be damaging for the spiritual welfare of the believers.
But Timothy ought not to think that he could expect his commands to be obeyed purely on the ground of his authority. Paul points out to him that he also had the responsibility to be “an example”. His example will be of help for the believers. They could then see how they can manage to bring the commands into practice.
He ought to be an example “in speech” and “conduct”. Speech and conduct (or walk) encompasses the whole life. In his words there should not be found insincerity and no recklessness to be heard. That regards both the personal and the public speech. He must choose his words carefully and be careful with it. His conduct covers the whole way of his living. Wherever he goes or finds himself his conduct always ought to be that of a faithful disciple of the Lord Jesus.
His contacts with the fellow believers must be “in love, faith [and] purity”. He must not deal out of an emotional impulse. His sincere interest in the wellbeing of the other person must be the result of his love for God that is poured out in his heart by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). Thereby he can trust in God and in His Word. Others will be able to see the results of his faith in his life.
What is rooted in love and faith is also pure. It disgusts everything what is unclean. His contacts with others, especially with somebody from the other sex, must take place in purity. It is in the time we live not an unnecessary luxury to emphasize that. Keep yourself in purity in all aspects of your life. It doesn’t matter whether it is at school or on the working floor or with a certain service for the Lord, or whatever it is.
1 Timothy 4:13. The exhortation in this verse refers particularly to what Timothy has to do in the meeting and that persistently. He had to “give attention to the [public] reading” again and again. In those days not everyone owns the Holy Scriptures themselves. Therefore the attention to reading aloud was important. The Lord Jesus also read aloud or public (Luke 4:16-27; cf. Acts 13:15a; 2 Corinthians 3:14).
The attention to reading aloud the Holy Scripture is the foundation of all Christian teaching. It was then the means of passing on the truth. The attention to reading aloud already gives, when it happens and is heard in a spirit of subjection, abundant fruit.
After the attention to reading aloud comes “exhortation and teaching”. The ‘exhortation’ is the application to the heart and the conscience of what has been read (Acts 13:15b). That should lead to a certain conduct which is in accordance with that Scripture. It can be a correction of wrong behavior. It can also be an encouragement to continue in some way and not to change the conduct. The ‘teaching’ is the explanation of what has been read aloud so that it is understood. In a gathering where the reading of God’s Word is in the center both aspects are of great importance. As long as Paul has not come Timothy must continue with it.
1 Timothy 4:14. To encourage this service Paul points to the gift within him. It is not said which gift it is precisely. To have a gift, and each believer has one (so do you), implies the responsibility to use it. Here you read about the danger to neglect it. That can happen in different ways, for example by being indifferent, slackness or by considering other things to be more important.
Regarding Timothy, there is a danger in his timidity. Therefore Paul reminds him that according to the prophecies previously made, he was to be called for a special service (1 Timothy 1:18). Then he reminds him of another peculiarity: the laying on of the hands of the presbytery (or eldership) as a proof of their approval with his service. The laying on of the hands doesn’t mean a consecration or calling, but to identify oneself, to have fellowship (1 Timothy 5:22; Acts 6:6; Acts 13:3; Leviticus 1:4; Leviticus 4:4).
1 Timothy 4:15. By reminding him of these things Paul wants to encourage Timothy. When Paul then says “take pains with these things; be [absorbed] in them”, his exhortation will receive a positive response. Prescribing these things (1 Timothy 4:11) to others is only effective when he takes them to heart himself. The heart must be involved. To do things as an obligation is not enough if you want your message to be received. It is essential to give yourself entirely to it, to immerse yourself in the message. All your thoughts, time and abilities must be focused on these things.
A walk in the Lord cannot remain unnoticed. It makes a profound impression and it radiates authority. Every criticism on your service or age will therefore fall silent. The progress you make in knowing the will of the Lord, in order to practice it in your own life and in the life of the listeners, is a matter that “will be evident to all”.
Making progress is not without exertion. The word ‘progress’ describes a vanguard making its way through a difficult terrain or jungle under great effort. But through these efforts you will gain more and more capacity to judge things according to the Scripture and to speak spiritually to the benefit of souls.
1 Timothy 4:16. Before you are able to serve others you will have to make sure that your own life is in accordance with the truth (Acts 20:28). Only then you are suited and able to make sure that only the sound doctrine is taught and to detect and reject every deviation. Therefore all that matters is perseverance not to deviate yourself on the one hand and on the other hand continue to teach the sound doctrine without interruption.
If you are spiritually active in such a way, it will have beneficial consequences for both you and others. You and those who hear you will then achieve the final destiny safely. The salvation mentioned here is to remain safe through the many dangers on the road to glory. These dangers consist of evil doctrines and practices for which you are warned at the beginning of this chapter. You see that your responsibility as a servant is major, but there is also a major blessing attached to faithfulness.
Now read 1 Timothy 4:12-16 again.
Reflection: How many and which exhortations are there in these verses?
Hebrews 1:13
Obligations Toward Others
The exhortations in the previous verses concern the personal walk of both Timothy’s and yours. In this chapter the apostle points Timothy at his attitude toward different groups of people in the church: 1. in 1 Timothy 5:1-2 different age groups; 2. in 1 Timothy 5:3-16 the widows; 3. in 1 Timothy 5:17-20 the elders.
1 Timothy 5:21-25 close the chapter with the exhortation to have nothing to do with partiality and to deal responsibly with others and with his own body.
1 Timothy 5:1. Like in a family the distinction of age and sex must also be recognized in the house of God. The first indication concerns the “older man” who needs exhortation. Sometimes it is necessary to rebuke an older person. Age doesn’t make a person immune for failures. When rebuke is necessary caution is appropriate for the way it happens (Leviticus 19:32).
An older brother should not be rebuked sharply. ‘Sharply rebuke’ literally means ‘to hit’, what indicates here ‘to hit with words’. You ought not to raise your voice to such a person. When an older brother should be admonished, it must happen with the sensitivity of a son toward his father. When younger brothers would consider this instruction more in their dealings then a lot of deep-rooted and long lasting conflicts could have been prevented.
The second category you have to deal with are your peers, “the younger men”. When you notice something there that is in contrast to God’s Word, you should approach them with the sensitivity of true brotherly love. Together with them you participate in the family of God. In that relation it is not appropriate to rebuke them high-handedly as a superior (cf. Job 33:6).
1 Timothy 5:2. The third category is that of “older women”. Like the older men here also the sensitivity of a son toward his mother has to be present. Like the other groups the point is that Timothy should express a family-oriented affection in his conduct and above all respect for the individual.
The fourth category is the most sensitive one. Timothy must really watch out how he approaches “the younger women” in case they need to be corrected. He should deal with them “as sisters, in all purity”. The brotherly love should not deteriorate into feelings of the flesh. He must be careful to be inwardly pure of his mind in order to expose a fully upright and transparent behavior. Unclean thoughts, words or deeds must be avoided. If this word were taken to heart by younger believers (and not only by them) then many tragedies that have occurred within the pastoral care in this area, would not have happened.
1 Timothy 5:3. The fifth category is that of the “widows”. Paul extensively pays attention to them. The word ‘widow’ implies ‘bereft, ‘having suffered loss’. Someone who is a ‘widow indeed’ is someone who is really left alone, ‘bereft’ of her husband. That caused her to be in need. She has no family either to whom she can appeal.
The Holy Spirit devotes much space to speak about the widows, no less than fourteen verses, because they are being easily forgotten. That was already the case at the beginning of the church (Acts 6:1), when the believers shared everything together in those days. How much more then this appeal of James has to be heeded “to visit orphans and widows in their distress” (James 1:27).
Widows and their children are the objects of the God’s special care (Psalms 68:5; Psalms 146:9). He who takes care of them can count on the blessing of God (Deuteronomy 14:29; Deuteronomy 24:19). Considering this it should not be difficult to ‘honor’ or to respect and esteem them. This appropriate respect and esteem will be exposed in the financial support and in surrounding them with serving and caring love. Then the financial support will not have the side-thought of an act of charity to a poor.
In this care of the widow you can see an example of the functioning of the church in other forms of care. One of the aspects to which you can recognize a church according to God’s thoughts, is the care that is spent to those who need it. Is there care for those who have spiritual difficulties, for those who risk to give in to certain temptations, for believers who face difficulties in raising their children, for older people?
1 Timothy 5:4. There can be an inclination to withdraw yourself from caring while it clearly appears on your way. In the case of the widows there can be ‘children or grandchildren’. Paul points them to their obligations toward their mother or grandmother if she is a widow. They must “first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family”. In that way they show respect to God, they deal according to His will. They are not allowed to withdraw themselves from that responsibility by saying that it is a matter the government or the church should be taking care of. The Lord Jesus also condemns sharply the corrupt pious motives to withdraw from this obligation (Matthew 15:3-6).
He who supports his mother or grandmother who is a widow, doesn’t do that only because the Lord desires it. It also ought to happen out of gratitude for what the parents and grandparents have done to them. It is a recognition of the love and care that the parents and grandparents have spent on them. The word “return” means to meet a responsibility. It has to do with repayment, to give something back. If you find yourself in such a situation you may know that by doing so you are “acceptable in the sight God”. You please God by doing that. That’s a wonderful exhortation, isn’t it?
1 Timothy 5:5. Not every widow finds herself in the same circumstances. You have seen that there are widows who can rely on their children and grandchildren. But what happens if that’s not the case? If it has to be said of a widow that she “is a widow indeed and who has been left alone”? ‘Left alone’ emphasizes that this widow really has no one to rely on. She is permanently alone and left.
Then God remains her reliance. While she has no one to rely on, God remains her great refuge. She can fix her hope on Him. Constantly she may go to Him, incessantly draw near to Him and ask whatever she needs. In Anna you find a beautiful example of that (Luke 2:36-38). She was not occupied with her own need. She was occupied with the need God’s people were in.
Don’t you think that such widows are a blessing to the church? They do not expect their help to come from the church, but from God. Right in the middle of their vulnerable condition of dependency they feel how much they need to have fellowship with God. “Night and day” doesn’t mean unceasingly, but without having anything between her and God. It shows that she has a continual fellowship with God.
1 Timothy 5:6. Such an attitude is in sharp contrast to that of her “who gives herself to wanton pleasure”. Then there is no mention of being focused on God and expecting all help from Him. That widow “is dead even while she lives”. Not every real widow is needy. There are those who are in a financially strong position and who use that to live “in wanton pleasure”. She who lives like that, lacks the blessing of dependency on God. The spiritual life of such a person is not visible. She lives indeed, but without involving God in her life. You may say that she is actually dead.
To live ‘in luxury and wanton pleasure’ (James 5:5) indicates a wasteful way of life. There is no room for God. It is the mentality of “let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (1 Corinthians 15:32).
Now read 1 Timothy 5:1-6 again.
Reflection: How is your relation toward the different groups that are mentioned here? Do you see a particular category to which you may spend some care?
Hebrews 1:14
Obligations Toward Others
The exhortations in the previous verses concern the personal walk of both Timothy’s and yours. In this chapter the apostle points Timothy at his attitude toward different groups of people in the church: 1. in 1 Timothy 5:1-2 different age groups; 2. in 1 Timothy 5:3-16 the widows; 3. in 1 Timothy 5:17-20 the elders.
1 Timothy 5:21-25 close the chapter with the exhortation to have nothing to do with partiality and to deal responsibly with others and with his own body.
1 Timothy 5:1. Like in a family the distinction of age and sex must also be recognized in the house of God. The first indication concerns the “older man” who needs exhortation. Sometimes it is necessary to rebuke an older person. Age doesn’t make a person immune for failures. When rebuke is necessary caution is appropriate for the way it happens (Leviticus 19:32).
An older brother should not be rebuked sharply. ‘Sharply rebuke’ literally means ‘to hit’, what indicates here ‘to hit with words’. You ought not to raise your voice to such a person. When an older brother should be admonished, it must happen with the sensitivity of a son toward his father. When younger brothers would consider this instruction more in their dealings then a lot of deep-rooted and long lasting conflicts could have been prevented.
The second category you have to deal with are your peers, “the younger men”. When you notice something there that is in contrast to God’s Word, you should approach them with the sensitivity of true brotherly love. Together with them you participate in the family of God. In that relation it is not appropriate to rebuke them high-handedly as a superior (cf. Job 33:6).
1 Timothy 5:2. The third category is that of “older women”. Like the older men here also the sensitivity of a son toward his mother has to be present. Like the other groups the point is that Timothy should express a family-oriented affection in his conduct and above all respect for the individual.
The fourth category is the most sensitive one. Timothy must really watch out how he approaches “the younger women” in case they need to be corrected. He should deal with them “as sisters, in all purity”. The brotherly love should not deteriorate into feelings of the flesh. He must be careful to be inwardly pure of his mind in order to expose a fully upright and transparent behavior. Unclean thoughts, words or deeds must be avoided. If this word were taken to heart by younger believers (and not only by them) then many tragedies that have occurred within the pastoral care in this area, would not have happened.
1 Timothy 5:3. The fifth category is that of the “widows”. Paul extensively pays attention to them. The word ‘widow’ implies ‘bereft, ‘having suffered loss’. Someone who is a ‘widow indeed’ is someone who is really left alone, ‘bereft’ of her husband. That caused her to be in need. She has no family either to whom she can appeal.
The Holy Spirit devotes much space to speak about the widows, no less than fourteen verses, because they are being easily forgotten. That was already the case at the beginning of the church (Acts 6:1), when the believers shared everything together in those days. How much more then this appeal of James has to be heeded “to visit orphans and widows in their distress” (James 1:27).
Widows and their children are the objects of the God’s special care (Psalms 68:5; Psalms 146:9). He who takes care of them can count on the blessing of God (Deuteronomy 14:29; Deuteronomy 24:19). Considering this it should not be difficult to ‘honor’ or to respect and esteem them. This appropriate respect and esteem will be exposed in the financial support and in surrounding them with serving and caring love. Then the financial support will not have the side-thought of an act of charity to a poor.
In this care of the widow you can see an example of the functioning of the church in other forms of care. One of the aspects to which you can recognize a church according to God’s thoughts, is the care that is spent to those who need it. Is there care for those who have spiritual difficulties, for those who risk to give in to certain temptations, for believers who face difficulties in raising their children, for older people?
1 Timothy 5:4. There can be an inclination to withdraw yourself from caring while it clearly appears on your way. In the case of the widows there can be ‘children or grandchildren’. Paul points them to their obligations toward their mother or grandmother if she is a widow. They must “first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family”. In that way they show respect to God, they deal according to His will. They are not allowed to withdraw themselves from that responsibility by saying that it is a matter the government or the church should be taking care of. The Lord Jesus also condemns sharply the corrupt pious motives to withdraw from this obligation (Matthew 15:3-6).
He who supports his mother or grandmother who is a widow, doesn’t do that only because the Lord desires it. It also ought to happen out of gratitude for what the parents and grandparents have done to them. It is a recognition of the love and care that the parents and grandparents have spent on them. The word “return” means to meet a responsibility. It has to do with repayment, to give something back. If you find yourself in such a situation you may know that by doing so you are “acceptable in the sight God”. You please God by doing that. That’s a wonderful exhortation, isn’t it?
1 Timothy 5:5. Not every widow finds herself in the same circumstances. You have seen that there are widows who can rely on their children and grandchildren. But what happens if that’s not the case? If it has to be said of a widow that she “is a widow indeed and who has been left alone”? ‘Left alone’ emphasizes that this widow really has no one to rely on. She is permanently alone and left.
Then God remains her reliance. While she has no one to rely on, God remains her great refuge. She can fix her hope on Him. Constantly she may go to Him, incessantly draw near to Him and ask whatever she needs. In Anna you find a beautiful example of that (Luke 2:36-38). She was not occupied with her own need. She was occupied with the need God’s people were in.
Don’t you think that such widows are a blessing to the church? They do not expect their help to come from the church, but from God. Right in the middle of their vulnerable condition of dependency they feel how much they need to have fellowship with God. “Night and day” doesn’t mean unceasingly, but without having anything between her and God. It shows that she has a continual fellowship with God.
1 Timothy 5:6. Such an attitude is in sharp contrast to that of her “who gives herself to wanton pleasure”. Then there is no mention of being focused on God and expecting all help from Him. That widow “is dead even while she lives”. Not every real widow is needy. There are those who are in a financially strong position and who use that to live “in wanton pleasure”. She who lives like that, lacks the blessing of dependency on God. The spiritual life of such a person is not visible. She lives indeed, but without involving God in her life. You may say that she is actually dead.
To live ‘in luxury and wanton pleasure’ (James 5:5) indicates a wasteful way of life. There is no room for God. It is the mentality of “let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (1 Corinthians 15:32).
Now read 1 Timothy 5:1-6 again.
Reflection: How is your relation toward the different groups that are mentioned here? Do you see a particular category to which you may spend some care?