12 Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity.
13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.
14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have, given to you and confirmed by prophetic words when the elders laid hands on you.
15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress.
16 Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach. Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.
"look down on you" - The culture in which Paul and Timothy lived had a tradition of respect for older people. Several instances of longevity are seen in the early history of the Old Testament. Scientists estimate NT life expectancy was probably less than 40 years, due to lack of adequate medical knowledge and practice. Reaching the age of 70 or 80 was a real achievement. It was assumed that having lived that long you must know something. In our culture, ‘old’ means ‘useless’. Remember the saying in the 70's, "You can't trust anyone over 30." Today, if you can't slice and dice with a smart phone, or can't send pictures with an App, or master the social media you have no credibility. (One time in a homeowners association board meeting, one young lady (a homeowner) was upset with the board's decisions. She told us the reason we having trouble with her and her husband’s response was that we were not used to young highly educated people. We looked around the board which included a college professor, two electrical engineers, a banker, and a lawyer. That was the problem, we were old and dumb.) At a high tech conference, one speaker said his teenage daughters only talked on the phone if he and his wife called, otherwise they used text.
However, advances in technology does not necessarily amount to wisdom. In Timothy’s case, youth does not mean ignorant nor incompetent, especially if you have been called to serve the Lord by the Lord.
Timothy's potential problem was that he was relatively young, was a church leader, and would be instructing older men and women. Timothy had the authority to teach. He had been taught by his mother and grandmother. He had been trained by Paul and Barnabas, and by the laying-on of hands he had been commissioned to do this job. Timothy needed the respect of the people in the church. Paul is encouraging Timothy to not let others beat him down, just because he was young. See also: 1 Cor. 16:10,11; Tit. 2:15.
"set an example" - Sage advice in dealing with the lack of respect. Don't try to talk them out of their position. Don't beat them down with preaching and exhortation. Live out your salvation; demonstrate the things you want them to practice. Practice love, and purity, and faith in your speech and conduct. (Pro. 6:12; 2 Pet. 3:11; 1 Tim. 1:14; Tit. 2:7; 1 Pet. 5:3). Non-believers may not accept what you say, no matter how you live. Some will see that you live what you teach, and will want to know why. Your love, your purity, and your faith will be an example they will want to follow.
Vs. 13: - Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhortation, to teaching."public reading of scripture" - Remember, the 'scripture' at that time was the Law and the Prophets. The title Old Testament was applied later. The covenant with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and through Moses promising the Messiah is the 'Old'. The covenant promising eternal life, peace with God, freedom from the power of sin is the 'New'. The parts of the NT written at that time were the Gospels of Mark, Matthew and maybe a couple of letters. Most of the NT was written 55-69 A.D. The gospel of John and the Revelation were written much later, 80-90 A.D. Since most people could not read, having the Scripture read aloud was important. In a recent podcast, the speaker said that most of the letters in the NT were not ‘written’ but dictated to a person who transcribed it.
Note: God's grace, mercy, and salvation can be seen in the OT, and we should not avoid it.
My wife shared some goods insights about spending time in the Bible (from a Bible study: "Entrusted", by Beth Moore.):
- Because the words of Christ are Spirit and life.
- Because God sends forth His Word with accomplishing power.
- Because the Holy Spirit can bring the Scriptures to life in any life.
- Because those who let the Scripture sink into their bones are transformed.
- Because nothing renews our minds like the Spirit of Christ working through the Word of God.
- Because God could say your name before He said, "Let there be light.
- Because He's got a plan for you that you don't want to miss.
- Because you matter on this planet.
"to exhortation, to teaching" - These terms are the similar. 'Exhortation' is more impassioned, more persuasive, more admonitory than 'teaching'. “Exhortation” reminds me of a coach at halftime - explaining, urging, teaching, correcting, and above all being passionate about it.
When we teach we say, "This is what we do. See these Bible verses.“ Or, “This is how we do it. See the Bible verses and how others have succeeded.” Also, “This is why we do it. See these Bible verses." I see teaching as helping people understand what, why, and how to live the Christian life. Helping catch the vision of living for Christ. Teaching goes on in Sunday school, church sermons, and growth groups. Exhortation happens at retreats, and evangelism crusades. Paul wants both to happen in church - teach them to live the Christian life, fire them up to commit to actually doing it. We all may be guilty of listening to a sermon or speaker and thinking of how nice and interesting those points were, but never acting on those nice and interesting thoughts.
"Do not neglect the spiritual gift" - As far as I can tell, it wasn't recorded when Timothy was blessed by the laying-on-of-hands by the elders of the church. Paul became aware of Timothy during his second visit to Lystra. Timothy had a good reputation already. See Acts 16:1,2.
(Interesting side note: Paul and Barnabas has just returned from Jerusalem where the huge debate about Gentiles was decided in favor of the Gentiles. The Gentiles did not have to become Jews first in order to be a Christian. So why did Paul circumcise Timothy (Acts 16:3) if being Jewish was not a requirement? My study Bible indicates Paul was not caving to pressure from the Jews, but was indicating his respect for the Jewish faith, and to make it easier to start the conversation with Jews. Almost all of Paul's evangelistic efforts started in synagogues. If these Jews knew that Timothy was half-Jew and uncircumcised, a roadblock would be thrown up immediately. Christianity is not a breakaway from Judaism, but a completion of it. If the Jews perceived that Paul was belittling his own foundations they would not listen or allow him to speak.)
The elders of the church in Lystra spoke up for Timothy indicating that he had been called by God to be an evangelist. Although a young man, he had demonstrated spiritual power and wisdom. By prayer and supplication, these leaders commissioned Timothy to go out preaching and teaching the gospel. See 1 Tim. 1:15. Paul is warning Timothy to be aware that shepherding a church may draw him away from his calling. There was a small pamphlet 'Tyranny of the Urgent', by Hummell. This is the message here, don't let the problem solving pull you away.
"laying on of hands..." - I have never questioned this practice, having grown up in the church. It is a churchy thing we do, not quite understandable at first blush but we always do it, so it must be okay. (See also: notes for 1 Tim. 5:22.) The Levites, in the book of Numbers, are being commissioned to do the Lord's instructions in the Jewish community. The idea of commissioning is that authority has been granted to that person, and it is done before the congregation so they will know. See Num. 8:10, 12; 27:18-20. In Deuteronomy, Joshua is commissioned as the next leader of the Jews as they go into Canaan. See Deut. 34:9.
From this we can see that Timothy has been granted the authority by the church, and Paul is urging him to fulfill that commission.
Vs. 15: - Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress."be absorbed in them" - This phrase, coupled with 'take pains with these things' is an exhortation and a warning to Timothy. His job is not 'a walk in the park'. This is not for the flippant, the lazy. Devote yourself to study of scripture so you are ready to answer questions about the faith.
this message also applies to us: Devote yourself to prayer so you are renewed and strengthened with the power of the Holy Spirit. Work at teaching and encouragement of the church body. As you do these things all people we see you are serving as you were called.
Paul often used himself as an example. See: Phil. 4:9 “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” See also: 2 Tim. 2:2, 15.
"Be conscientious" - More encouragement to be careful how you deal with your fellow believers. People will always be watching you, and some people will not be pleased with what you do. You must be as “Caesar’s wife” - i.e., without a hint of scandal or corruption. So be careful to always act in a manner that will please Jesus. He is the ultimate judge.
"Persevere in this" - Again, you can't do this once and forget it. You must keep on keeping on. If you are faithful to the faith in Christ Jesus, many will come to Him as Lord and Savior.
End of chapter (2/7/17)
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