READING: 1 Tim. 4-6 – Asceticism vs. Godliness, Duties to Believers, True Riches, & Good Fight of Faith

Some renounce the faith, paying attention to doctrines of demons, forbidding marriage and demanding abstinence from foods, which God created for us to receive with thanksgiving. All God’s creation is good, and nothing must be rejected, if received with thanksgiving and prayer. 

True godliness is nourished in faith and healthy teaching. Physical training, meaning asceticism, has some value, yet godliness is valuable in every way because we have set our hope on the living God. 

Let no one despise your youth. At the time, Timothy was probably in his twenties but was charged with setting an example in speech and conduct, in love, faith, and purity. Paul told him, as part of his example, to pay attention to the public reading of Scripture. 

Paul tells Timothy how to treat people. Treat older men as fathers and younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. 

Honor widows. Much of chapter five is devoted to caring for widows. If she has a family that can care for her, they should do it. If there is no family, the church should put her on the list of widows – if she is over sixty years old, a one-man woman who is well attested for good works. I believe the Catholic Church developed their nuns from this text – except their nuns usually enter the nunnery as young women, which is the opposite of what Paul is talking about. 

Elders who rule well are worthy of double honor, especially those who work at preaching and teaching. Never accept an accusation against an elder except on the evidence of two or more witnesses. If they persist in sin, they should be rebuked before all so others will fear. He adds, “Keep these instructions without prejudice… Do not ordain anyone hastily.”  

You are to teach and urge these duties. “Whoever teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness, is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words.” A friend of my father once said to him, “I do not feel as if I have been to church unless I have a good argument.” He was a perfect example of what Paul warns Timothy against. 

True riches are those that are stored up in heaven. “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” There are other roots of evil, but the love of money is one, and when we love money too much we do fall into evil practices. As a godly person, shun such and pursue righteousness faith, love, patience, and gentleness. “Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of eternal life,” which is to know God and His Son Jesus Christ. 

Warn the rich to trust God, not wealth. 

This is why it is hard for a rich man to enter heaven. 

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PRAY FOR YOURSELF 

Father, I pray that I may ever walk in the paths of righteousness and godly behavior, always trusting You. Keep me from arrogance and judgment of others, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus, Your Son, and my Savior, AMEN!   

MY PRAYER FOR YOU (and for myself)  

Holy Father my prayer for all who read this and for myself, is that we may pay attention to Paul’s instructions to Timothy. For myself, and for all who read this, in the precious name of Jesus, I pray, AMEN!