Day #226: 1 Timothy 4:11-16

So What? (What will you do with what you read today?)

Timothy, as a young man with perhaps a nonassertive personality, was evidently given to timidity and fear. Thus Paul exhorted him to command and teach these things. Paul was prodding Timothy to be firm and courageous in his ministry. At first Paul’s instruction that Timothy should not let anyone “despise” his youth might seem impossible to fulfill since Timothy could not control the attitudes of others. Yet when combined with the latter part of the verse, the thrust of Paul’s instruction becomes clear. Timothy must not be intimidated by his relative youthfulness or what others might think of it. Instead he was to demonstrate his maturity by living such a godly life that he would become a pattern for other Christians in every area of his life: speech, life, love, faith, and purity. Paul is very clear to Timothy, he says, “set the example”. Paul moves on to exhort Timothy to attend to his public ministry as well as his private life. This public ministry was to consist of at least three elements.

1.) Public reading of Scripture

2.) Preaching

3.) Teaching

Timothy’s image of himself as a minister was evidently deficient, so Paul reminded him of the fact that God had given him the ability for service. Timothy must not ignore or neglect this basic factor. If others were not to look down on Timothy, neither was he to look down on himself. Timothy was to give his careful attention to Paul’s instructions. As he would do so his progress would be evident to all observers and his problem of low credibility, implied throughout this section, would be alleviated. He was to keep a sharp
eye on both, persevering in the instructions Paul had offered in his private life as well as his public ministry. In so doing, said Paul, you will save both yourself and your hearers. Ultimately only God can save, of course; yet in a secondary sense the New Testament speaks of a person “saving” himself (Phil. 2:12) and others (James 5:19-20; Jude 23). Paul’s words are a pointed reminder of the awesome burden of responsibility that pastors carry.

Here is the truth, verse 12 applies to all of us. If you read today’s portion of scripture and thought to yourself, “I’m old, it doesn’t apply to me.” then your wrong. Unless you are the oldest person still alive on this planet there will always be someone older than you. Paul says don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young but set the example in 5 key areas.

Examine yourselves in those 5 areas. Are you setting the example to believers in your speech? Do the words that come out of your mouth build up others or tear them down. How is your life? Does your life, your conduct set the example to others to follow Christ? How about your love? Do you love others? Examine yourselves. Does your faith set the pace for others? How about your purity? Paul gives us these areas to lead the way.



Make it Happen!