What did it take for you to become good at what you do? What did it take for you to become skilled at it? Did you have formal education or training? Did someone teach you how to do it?
For the believer, this is ultimately what discipleship is—God is training us, maturing our character, making us more like Jesus. Certainly, we must have the Holy Spirit working in us, enabling and empowering us. But the Bible also teaches that on our part, it takes practice; it takes rehearsal. Today we look at 1 Timothy 4.6-16, the next section in this series. In my own life, this section in chapter 4 had an early and lasting impact on my progress in character. These verses are among the first I memorized—because I knew I would need to remind myself often.
After warning about the real danger of falling away from faith and from the true gospel, Paul immediately addresses the church’s continual need of God’s Word. He says it in a way that Timothy and everyone there will understand—in terms of what makes a good servant or minister. He speaks of the training and practice it will take. Although he is specifically talking to Timothy in the role in which he was serving, these principles are true for everyone: The word for minister (in some translations) in verse 6 is the same word as servant. What was true for Timothy is true for us. So what makes someone a good servant of Christ?
1. Good servants of Christ grow through regular intake of God’s Word (vv. 6-7).
We grow through God’s Word, instead of being deceived through false teaching. This proves or demonstrates that we have been nourished and trained already—note that Timothy has already been following these things. Just like a baby needs milk, and instinctively desires it, we need the Word of God to be nourished (see 1 Pet 2.2-3). Are you taking in God’s Word regularly?
2. Good servants of Christ engage in disciplined training for an eternal reward (vv. 7-10).
We engage in disciplined training as opposed to being deluded through common folk fables in receiving an earthly benefit. Paul calls them “old wives’ tales,” showing that term’s usage from at least the first century. He simply means that Timothy should not get caught up in silly fables and myths that have little or no value. So it takes exercising, training, disciplining (ourselves) to avoid falling into error. Actually, it takes ongoing discipline to develop in anything.
Just like companies that offer continuing education credits to keep their employees trained, we all need continuing training. Many folks engage in physical exercise, and certainly it has some benefit. However, the Scripture here says that spiritual exercise offers benefit and promise for this life and for the eternal life that will extend beyond this one.
If you want to make an impact that will last into eternity, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness. Are you training yourself, through the Word of God, to exercise toward godliness, with the understanding that you are progressing toward an eternal reward?
3. Good servants of Christ model a mature life in front of other believers (vv. 11-14).
We model a mature life as opposed to allowing immaturity, whether real or perceived, to diminish our serving influence on others. Paul has just described the common grace of God, and the particular grace to save to the uttermost those who trust in Him (v. 10), which is why this purpose is worth living for, and then teaching and modeling for others.
Many youth group leaders have turned to verse 12 over the years as a key verse for their teens. While it’s a great verse to inspire them, this statement was not only addressed to teenagers, but a call for any servant of God’s Word to be demonstrating maturity. Timothy was not a teen. He was probably 30 years old or more, but still considered young for his day contrasted with the elders in the church who might look down on him (in their era) and despise his youth.
In our day, we have almost the opposite trend: America tends to idolize young people in our culture. In Paul’s day there would have been a great respect for the elders in the church. So his encouragement to Timothy was to lovingly and graciously show that maturity doesn’t always equate to age. The goal is to be above reproach—not to allow anyone to be able to raise an accusation about spiritual immaturity in each of these key areas (v. 12). This was proved by the confirming acceptance of God’s calling on his life, and it must not be neglected. Do you live in such a way that folks can watch your life, and then imitate it?
4. Good servants of Christ labor over good theology for Godward progress (vv. 15-16).
We are to work hard at having a good theology, as opposed to leading our churches and ourselves on a path to destruction. Paul describes the path to a healthy theological understanding: Being fully into God’s word, devoted to it. Bible translators always come up with interesting ways to render the second phrase in verse 15. Actually, it is simply a form of the word be, so that the meaning is: Be in it; soak it up; saturate yourself in the things of God through His word.
Right theology then informs and influences right living, although we sometimes think it’s the other way around. What we know about God impacts what we do on a daily basis. It will have a Godward redeeming influence on us and on those who watch us. If people watch your life, would they come to you with a question about God because they know you pore over the Scriptures? Can they see that you’re making progress?
5. Good servants of Christ share this glorious gospel for mutual transformation (vv. 6, 11, 13, 16).
We are to share this as the good news that it is, as opposed to merely gaining personal knowledge. We get to tell others. If we miss this point, we have missed Paul’s reason for these paragraphs. Are you sharing this glorious gospel with anyone?
[This is part of a larger series on 1 Timothy called The Community of Truth.]
