LESSON AIM

1. We will know the meaning of GODLINESS

2. We will commit ourselves more fully to GOD through faith in JESUS CHRIST.

KEEP IN MIND

“For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

Paul admonishes Timothy not to let his youth stand in the way of his leadership but to be an example to all in his way of life. Believers are to treat one another as family members. Family members should be sure to take care of their immediate family, particularly aging parents.

By way of background, we do not know Timothy’s age when he received his first letter from Paul, but we do know about Timothy’s spiritual maturity and public reputation. Timothy was well nourished in the faith. At least four sources of Timothy’s grounding in the faith may be cited: the mentoring and scriptural knowledge he received from his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15); growing up in the church surrounded by faithful “brothers at Lystra and Iconium” (Acts 16:2); the mentoring he continued to receive from the Apostle Paul (2 Timothy 2:2); and his own desire to know GOD and to prepare himself for wider ministry and service, as evidenced by his belated circumcision (Acts 16:3).

Timothy’s preparation and continued training for ministry prepared him to resist the heretics of his day and to instruct and care for the believers committed to his charge. Men like Hymenaeus, Alexander, and Philetus helped to make ministry in Ephesus difficult (1 Timothy 1:20; 2 Timothy 2:17; 4:14). Moreover, people’s lives were controlled by folk religion. In addition, myths and “old wives’ fables” (1 Timothy 4:7) were kept alive by pagan priests, spread by word of mouth, and believed by those who were ready to commit to any philosophy that offered a ray of hope.

Timothy’s need for encouragement is seen in 1Timothy 4:7-16. His opponents are present everywhere. They are never out of sight. Keenly aware of Timothy’s plight and out of fatherly concern for Timothy’s personal well being and ministry, Paul writes with a deep sense of urgency.

It is obvious that Paul wants the heretics to desist from their corrupt behavior and erroneous teachings. He recognizes, however, that they will not be easily stopped. Therefore, Timothy’s response and approach to these men are of critical importance. His response will need to be strategic and intentionally calculated.

1. PAUL TAUGHT THAT GODLINESS IS BENEFICIAL (1 Timothy 4:7-8)

In a community where heresy flows like the Nile and the Mississippi Rivers—deep, wide, and fast, Timothy is encouraged to set relevant priorities aimed at achieving eternal ends. Rather than argue against heresy, Timothy is to “refuse profane and old wives fables” and intentionally train himself in godliness.

Like Paul, Timothy is to distinguish clearly between the false teachers’ interpretation of the truth and the Gospel he has known from his youth. The latter has current, lasting, and eternal results. Unlike the Greek Olympic athlete who trained regularly and devotedly for temporal ends, Timothy was to train and exercise himself for both temporal and eternal ends. Training in godliness is beneficial for now and eternity. It holds “promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (v.8).

2. PAUL TAUGHT THAT GODLINESS IS POSSIBLE (vv.9-10)

This expression in verse 9 stresses the importance of the writer’s statement about being a minister of godliness (1Timothy 1:15; 3:1). The instruction about godliness is to be believed.

Paul and Timothy are partners in laboring and fighting. The reason for the laboring and fighting is because “we have trusted” in the living GOD. The verb used is in the perfect tense, which implies a continuous state of hope. Thus, putting one’s trust in the living GOD is the motivating power by which to endure privations and to fight.

The notes of hope and trust in the living GOD are prominent in these verses. The motivation that sustains both Paul and Timothy in their labor and gives them grace to “suffer reproach” is their hope and “trust in the living GOD,” who cares for all and who saves “those that believe.”

3. PAUL TAUGHT TIMOTHY (vv.11-16)

To minister in a community where heresy flourishes is no small task. It takes a lot of time as well as emotional, mental, and physical energy to teach and shepherd GOD’S people amid heretical influences. While Timothy is to be careful not to let anyone despise his youth (v.12), Paul recognizes that Timothy may be tempted to respond to ministry challenges far beyond his limited experience. Therefore, Timothy would be wise to exercise his ordination gift to nurture believers in the truth. For Timothy to major in personally confronting heretics would be to do so at the expense of his own spiritual growth and the care of believers.

Therefore, Paul advises Timothy to be “an example of the believers” (v.12). Paul understands that a positive, articulate, and consistent presentation of Gospel truth backed by godly living is the best and most effective counter to heresy. A frontal attack tends to alienate honest seekers of truth. However, if Timothy continues in godliness and the teaching of sound doctrine, he will ultimately save himself and those who hear him (v.16). Timothy’s priority calling is two-fold: (1) to display exemplary behavior (which Paul calls godliness), and (2) to publicly teach and preach sound doctrine. To preach on Sunday what one does not practice through the week, belies one’s own salvation and may prove a hindrance to those seeking salvation. On the other hand, to do these things result in Timothy’s salvation and the salvation of those who heed his teachings (vv.15-16).

In verse 14, Paul reminds Timothy that he has the ability to live holy and to encourage believers in the faith. What Paul refers to here is more than an ordination service that took place in Timothy’s past. Paul seems to be saying that through the “laying on of the hands of the presbytery,” GOD through the work of the HOLY SPIRIT imparted a special gift to Timothy that he must not neglect or handle carelessly.

4. PAUL TAUGHT RESPECT (5:1-2)

All who minister and lead in the church must establish and nurture positive relationships with others believers. In these two verses, Paul reminds Timothy of four possible relationships he should seek to maintain with other believers: relationships with older men, younger men, older women, and younger women.

The sensitive pastor and church leader will seek to be aware of gender needs as well as the changing needs of persons as they grow older. Timothy is admonished to minister in ways that evidence familial respect for all involved in the congregational life of the church. Paul assumes an ideal family household where relationships are positive. He then instructs Timothy to avoid taking an adversarial role with church members. Rather, all church members are to be shown respect and treated as if they were one’s own family members.

5. PAUL TAUGHT TO HONOR WIDOWS (vv.3-6)

Paul now gives special attention to an issue that concerns the church today: how the church can address the needs of its widows.

It is clear that Paul does not view all widows as meriting the church’s financial support. While some are not deserving of the church’s support because of their lifestyle, others do not qualify for church support because they have believing relatives who should assume this responsibility. Moreover, Paul adds, “if any provide not for his own [relatives]…he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” (1 Timothy 5:8).

6. PAUL TAUGHT THE MEANING OF WHAT IS SCANDALOUS (vv.7-8)

In Paul’s view, the failure of believers to provide for their own relatives is scandalous. The label of “infidel” is strong language. Descriptively, it places the one labeled outside the bounds of the Christian faith. To be labeled as “worse than an infidel” is to be considered as one who poses as a Christian but has committed an act that is not even committed by the worst of pagans (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:1). For Paul, nothing is more reprehensible than to fall below pagan standards.

Timothy is to evidence caring and godly concern for the believers, and especially for the elders and for widows in need. Timothy’s regard for the elderly and widows will bode well for his ministry. Moreover, it will stand in stark contrast to the ministry style of the heretics whose love of money resulted in a variety of abuses (6:3-11).

The admonition that Christian leaders stay focused is timely advice. In a culture in which church leaders, particularly pastors, are so vulnerable and visible and are called upon to be involved in so many worthy ventures, Paul’s call for self-discipline is critical. All church leaders would do well to guard themselves and their time so as to be more effective in their service and ministry. All pastors would do well to give proper attention to godliness and to be exhorting believers in matters of faith.

While the development of ministry skills is important, the development of character and spiritual insight is equally important for those who would be ministers of the grace of GOD. Moreover, church leaders must guard against placing self-gain above the responsibility to plead for the welfare of the needy in our society. While widows were high on the list of the needy in Paul and Timothy’s day, the homeless, victims of domestic violence, abused and neglected children, and ex-offenders in their search for employment are among those high on the list of today’s needy. Therefore, Paul’s counsel to Timothy merits attention by all who would be leaders and ministers of godliness.

THINK ABOUT IT!!!!

Spiritually Yours,

Rev. Chris Lowe, Sr. DD

email Dr. Lowe

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