Timothy's Responsibility and "These Things"

UNION GROVE CHURCH OF CHRIST, CLEVELAND TN.

TIMOTHY’S RESPONSIBILITY AND “THESE THINGS”

Timothy was living and working in the city of Ephesus when the apostle Paul wrote him the letter that we know as the Book of 1 Timothy. In part, the Holy Spirit guided Paul to write this epistle in order to show Timothy how he ought to behave himself “in the house of God, which is the church of the living God” (1 Timothy 3:15). But, other than the guidelines for Timothy’s own personal conduct, this letter also sets forth what Timothy was to do with “these things,” that is, those matters that make up the inspired message of 1 Timothy. What are some of the instructions that Timothy received that are connected with “these things?” Let us take a brief look and learn together.

Keep in mind that Timothy was an evangelist or gospel preacher. At a later time, Paul wrote to Timothy, “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5). The role of an evangelist is to “preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:5). Biblically speaking, that is different from the work of pastors, which is to shepherd the flock of God (Acts 20:28). In several of my Bibles, following the Book of 2 Timothy, the publishers have printed a message which states that Timothy was “ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians.” The truth is, there is no Bible evidence that Timothy ever served as a bishop or pastor. Besides that, the Bible nowhere teaches the concept of one man being the first bishop, head bishop, or only bishop of a local church. So, what was Timothy to do with “these things” about which Paul wrote to him in the Book of 1 Timothy? .

First of all, 1 Timothy 1:3 records that Timothy was to CHARGE people not to do something. What was that? “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine.” How does the Bible identify the doctrine that should be taught? In the context of this chapter, we read about “the commandment” (1:5), “sound doctrine” (1:10), and “the glorious gospel” (1:11). It was the gospel of the Christ, and nothing else, that Timothy was to charge people to teach and follow. Why was it so important to avoid teaching a different message? Because there is only “one faith” that saves (Ephesians 4:5; Romans 1:16), and one that preaches a religious message that is different from the one true gospel stands accursed in God’s sight (Galatians 1:6-8).

Second, Timothy was to REMIND the brethren of “these things,” those matters that inspired men such as Paul wrote. In 1 Timothy 4:6 it is written, “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” If Timothy was going to be a good servant of the Lord, then he must stick with “the words of faith,” also known as “good doctrine.” Every faithful servant and true evangelist of our day does the same.

Third, Timothy was to COMMAND and TEACH “these things”: “These things command and teach” (1 Timothy 4:11). Later in this same epistle, Paul told Timothy, “And these things give in charge [command, NKJV], that they may be blameless” (1 Timothy 5:7). Like Titus, Timothy was to speak forth God’s commands “with all authority” (Titus 2:15). Such work is not for the shy or faint at heart. Timothy’s role was to be a teacher (4:11; 6:2). Paul had taught Timothy, and now Timothy was to teach to others the truth that he had learned. Not all teachers will serve as gospel preachers, but every gospel preacher needs to be one that prepares himself to communicate and teach effectively the gospel message.

Fourth, Timothy was to MEDITATE on “these things.” “Meditate upon these things: give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all” (1 Timothy 4:15). A gospel preacher must put his heart into the work of preaching the word. This requires a great deal of preparation, and part of that ongoing preparation is to take time to meditate on the word. The Psalmist wrote that a man is blessed that meditates in the law of Jehovah day and night (Psalm 1:1,2).

Fifth, Timothy was to OBSERVE “these things.” “I charge thee before God . . . that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality” (1 Timothy 5:21). What does it mean for Timothy to “observe” the things about which Paul wrote to him? The Greek word from which our word “observe” is translated, means “to guard or watch, have an eye upon . . . to guard a person (or thing) that he may remain safe . . . to care for, take care not to violate; to observe. . .” [Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, pp. 659,660, word no. 5442]. This same Greek word is used in a familiar setting. When Jesus told the rich young ruler to “keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17), his response was, “All these things have I kept from my youth up . . . Master, all these have I observed from my youth” (Matthew 19:20; Mark 10:20; emphasis mine, rdc). Thus, when Timothy was instructed to “observe” the inspired message that Paul penned to him, he was to keep, obey, or carry it out in his own life. How effective could Timothy be as a preacher of the gospel if he taught the truth, but failed to live it himself? We all know the answer to that one. There is no quicker way for an evangelist to forfeit his influence with people than to fail to be “a pattern of good works” (Titus 2:7) and act as a hypocrite (Romans 2:21-24). A preacher must be concerned not only with teaching the sound doctrine, but also in living it Hear this: “. . . but be thou an example of the believers . . . Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:12,16).

Sixth, Timothy was to EXHORT “these things.” “These things teach and exhort” (1 Timothy 6:2). Timothy was to “give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:13, NKJV). There is always a place for exhorting those that hear the word of God to obey it. Barnabas was well known in the first century as an exhorter. In one instance we read that he “exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord” (Acts 11:23). Yes, every evangelist is to “reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:5).

Our brief look at the Book of 1 Timothy has clearly shown that God wanted Timothy to major in “these things,” those matters that pertain to the word of the living God (4:6,11,15; 5:21; 6:2). Yes, the Lord expected Timothy (and expects the same of 21^st-century evangelists) to be a charger, reminder, commander, teacher, meditator, observer, and exhorter of God’s word. How different that sounds from what some present-day congregations expect of their preachers. In some places, the job description that churches propose for their preachers looks something like this: run errands, manage the church office, mow the yard at the church building, and be the first one to go hold the hand of any member or any member’s relative that has so much as a runny nose. Seriously, have you ever read in the Bible about the Lord having such expectations for gospel preachers?

Brethren, if we are going to be people of the Book, then let us resolve to have biblical concepts of what the role and work of a gospel preacher really is. Let us encourage every evangelist to discipline himself to stay busy in the work of teaching and spreading the word of God. Thank God for gospel preachers that faithfully work in “these things,” and thank God for churches that encourage them and hold up their hands as they do their best to do the real work of an evangelist.

-- Roger D. Campbell