|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
First and Second Timothy, along with Titus, are collectively known as the “Pastoral Epistles,” a title given to them by a scholar in 1706. In the Pastoral Epistles, we find Paul writing to two of his disciples.
First Timothy and Titus were written after Paul’s first imprisonment when he was traveling to many places in the Roman Empire. While 2 Timothy, written during Paul’s second imprisonment in Rome, was his last epistle.
All three epistles have the tone of discipler and disciple. This key verse in 1 Timothy illustrates Paul’s encouraging demeanor toward Timothy. . .
Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses (1 Timothy 6:12, NLT).
With my life’s calling of understanding and practicing disciplemaking, I’ve enjoyed learning about Paul’s discipling practices with Timothy and how he both challenged and encouraged him.
The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith (ESV).
And. . .
Train yourself to be godly. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come (4:7b-8, NLT).
This epistle warns against distraction and the incursion of false doctrine, which had begun encroaching in the church. Paul, training second-generation leaders, challenged Timothy to an impassioned commitment to Jesus.
Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles. Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked (1:18-19).
Paul’s unique discipling techniques emphasize humility. . .
This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners (1:15-16a).
Wouldn’t the church be a better place today if all pastors and teachers openly spoke of their inadequacies and sinfulness? But this statement didn’t engender a timidity in Paul; in fact, the humility emboldened Paul. . .
Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons (4:1).
Max Lucado, in his commentary of 1 Timothy, describes the epistle. . .
Watch a small boy follow his dad through the snow. He stretches to step where his dad stepped. Not an easy task. His small legs extend as far as they can so his feet can fall in his father’s prints. The father, seeing what the son is doing, smiles and begins taking shorter steps so the son can follow. It’s a picture of discipleship.
In our faith, we follow in someone’s steps. A parent, a teacher, a hero—none of us is the first to walk the trail. All of us have someone we follow. In our faith, we leave footprints to guide others. A child, a friend, a recent convert. None should be left to walk the trail alone. It’s the principle of discipleship.
Paul concludes 1 Timothy with a challenge for Timothy and us today. . .
Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you (6:12a).
Amen!