Lately I’ve been reading 1 Timothy, a letter the apostle Paul wrote to a young pastor in Ephesus. As I read, I appreciated the wisdom and insight that Paul had; so I laboured on condensing the book into key passages that would help me remember the gist of the letter. I slightly paraphrased those passages, but sometimes I would copy word-for-word what the text said because I didn’t want to lose the meaning that was conveyed with the sentence structure and word choice. The idea behind this exercise was to go further into the text and really get a feel for what Paul was saying. By doing this, I learned many things I wouldn’t have seen otherwise.
One thing that stuck out to me was the mentality of application Paul had near the end of the book. He’d say something like, “Set an example for the family of believers in your speech, the way you carry and conduct yourself, in your faith, and in your purity of heart” (paraphrase). I would think, “Hmmm. What does that look like for me? What changes do I need to make in order for my speech, actions, and lifestyle to be more exemplary for my local family of believers?” It got the wheels in my head turning so that I was seeing more opportunities to apply what I had learned.
Of course, this summary doesn’t even come close to the richness of 1 Timothy. But I hope it will draw you to read the letter for yourself.
So here it is.
hello!
Dear Timothy--my true son in the faith,
Grace, mercy and peace to you.
before anything else . . .
Timothy, I’m writing to you so that you can effectively fight the good fight of faith with three things: love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.
I’m always thanking God for the opportunity he gave me to minister; for considering me faithful and for strengthening me; even despite the fact that I was blasphemous to His Name, a persecutor, and arrogant. But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus could exhibit his extraordinary patience as a testimony to the elect. To Him be the glory!
about church leadership.
If somebody wants to lead a flock, that’s commendable! He desires a noble work. So, he should be all of the following: exemplary; the husband of one wife; self-controlled; sensible; respectable; hospitable; able to teach; not an excessive drinker; not a bully but gentle; not a man who looks for opportunities to argue (quarrelsome); not greedy; able to manage his own household competently, and his kids with dignity. He mustn’t be a new Christian, and he should have a good standing with outsiders.
Deacons should be the same--worthy of respect; not an excessive drinker; not greedy for money. They shouldn’t be embarrassed by the mysterious form of the gospel.
some further notes on ministry.
Don’t let anyone push you around because you’re young, strong, and green. Instead, set an example for the family of believers in your speech, the way you carry and conduct yourself, in your faith, and in your purity of heart. Until I come to Ephesus, give your attention to the public reading of the Word, exhortation for those who need it, and the teaching of the saints. Practice all these things—and be committed to them. Pay attention to the teaching of both your lips and your life. Make sure to treat believers of the family appropriately—older men as fathers; older women as mothers; younger men as brothers; and younger women as sisters.
other notes . . .
Women should be dressed with good works. | A good elder should be considered worthy of double honor. He, the worker, is worthy of his wages. | Publicly rebuke those who sin, as a warning to everyone else. | Do nothing out of prejudice or favoritism. | Don’t share the responsibility for sin with others. (in other words, don’t be sinning, period.) Keep yourself pure. | Slaves should respect their masters fully. And if those masters are believers, they should serve them even better. | As to the rich, they shouldn’t be arrogant or put their hopes up on their wealth—but in God. They should do what is good, invest in and accumulate good works, be generous and willingly so, to accumulate eternal treasure, so that they can take hold of what is truly life. | Timothy, bud, guard what’s been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent and empty speech, and contradictions coming from what they call knowledge.
listen, man of God.
Flee from false doctrine and greed. Instead, pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Go and actually fight the good fight of faith. Grab and use that life eternal to which you were chosen and called, and about which you made a confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Grace be with the family.
I hope this has encouraged you and moved you to read and savor 1 Timothy.
Have a happy and Christ-centered week!
By: Josie Nyounai**
One thing that stuck out to me was the mentality of application Paul had near the end of the book. He’d say something like, “Set an example for the family of believers in your speech, the way you carry and conduct yourself, in your faith, and in your purity of heart” (paraphrase). I would think, “Hmmm. What does that look like for me? What changes do I need to make in order for my speech, actions, and lifestyle to be more exemplary for my local family of believers?” It got the wheels in my head turning so that I was seeing more opportunities to apply what I had learned.
Of course, this summary doesn’t even come close to the richness of 1 Timothy. But I hope it will draw you to read the letter for yourself.
So here it is.
hello!
Dear Timothy--my true son in the faith,
Grace, mercy and peace to you.
before anything else . . .
Timothy, I’m writing to you so that you can effectively fight the good fight of faith with three things: love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.
I’m always thanking God for the opportunity he gave me to minister; for considering me faithful and for strengthening me; even despite the fact that I was blasphemous to His Name, a persecutor, and arrogant. But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus could exhibit his extraordinary patience as a testimony to the elect. To Him be the glory!
about church leadership.
If somebody wants to lead a flock, that’s commendable! He desires a noble work. So, he should be all of the following: exemplary; the husband of one wife; self-controlled; sensible; respectable; hospitable; able to teach; not an excessive drinker; not a bully but gentle; not a man who looks for opportunities to argue (quarrelsome); not greedy; able to manage his own household competently, and his kids with dignity. He mustn’t be a new Christian, and he should have a good standing with outsiders.
Deacons should be the same--worthy of respect; not an excessive drinker; not greedy for money. They shouldn’t be embarrassed by the mysterious form of the gospel.
some further notes on ministry.
Don’t let anyone push you around because you’re young, strong, and green. Instead, set an example for the family of believers in your speech, the way you carry and conduct yourself, in your faith, and in your purity of heart. Until I come to Ephesus, give your attention to the public reading of the Word, exhortation for those who need it, and the teaching of the saints. Practice all these things—and be committed to them. Pay attention to the teaching of both your lips and your life. Make sure to treat believers of the family appropriately—older men as fathers; older women as mothers; younger men as brothers; and younger women as sisters.
other notes . . .
Women should be dressed with good works. | A good elder should be considered worthy of double honor. He, the worker, is worthy of his wages. | Publicly rebuke those who sin, as a warning to everyone else. | Do nothing out of prejudice or favoritism. | Don’t share the responsibility for sin with others. (in other words, don’t be sinning, period.) Keep yourself pure. | Slaves should respect their masters fully. And if those masters are believers, they should serve them even better. | As to the rich, they shouldn’t be arrogant or put their hopes up on their wealth—but in God. They should do what is good, invest in and accumulate good works, be generous and willingly so, to accumulate eternal treasure, so that they can take hold of what is truly life. | Timothy, bud, guard what’s been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent and empty speech, and contradictions coming from what they call knowledge.
listen, man of God.
Flee from false doctrine and greed. Instead, pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Go and actually fight the good fight of faith. Grab and use that life eternal to which you were chosen and called, and about which you made a confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Grace be with the family.
I hope this has encouraged you and moved you to read and savor 1 Timothy.
Have a happy and Christ-centered week!
By: Josie Nyounai**
**See a short bio about Josie on our About the Author's page!
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