21 Before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, I solemnly charge you to carry out these commands without prejudice or favoritism of any kind.
22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily and so identify with the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
23 (Stop drinking just water, but use a little wine for your digestion and your frequent illnesses.)
24 The sins of some people are obvious, going before them into judgment, but for others, they show up later.
25 Similarly good works are also obvious, and the ones that are not cannot remain hidden.
Vs. 21: - “Before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, I solemnly charge you to carry out these commands without prejudice or favoritism of any kind.”
"solemnly charge you" - This charge, with God, and Jesus, and the angels as witnesses is almost like the prophets speaking, "Thus says the Lord..." Teach the church these precepts. Show them the way to keep them.
Side question: who are the 'elect angels'? Is it Gabriel, or Michael, or the seraphim? (These are only two mentioned by name - not counting Lucifer since he was booted from heaven.) Perhaps these are the angels that did not defect and rebel. See: Jude 6; 2 Pet. 2:4.
"without prejudice or favoritism" - And, basically, don't show any favoritism. To anyone. "Those guilty of sin must be rebuked." God is not a "respecter of persons" - Jam. 2:1-9; Gal. 3:26-29; Rev. 2:11.
Vs. 22: - “Do not lay hands on anyone hastily and so identify with the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.”"lay hands on anyone hastily" - Do not rush when asking a man to be an elder of the church. See: 1 Tim. 4:14. If the proposed elder is not of good reputation (1 Tim. 3:2-9), the sins of that leader will be reflected on the local church body. The leader must pass the 'respectable' test. (1 Tim. 3:10).
The laying on of hands has been discussed in 1 Tim. 4:14. We see this practice often in our church - especially when someone is going to be a missionary, or is leaving to be a pastor of a church. The church elders gather around the person. Some or all of the elders place a hand on the head or shoulder of the one going out. Prayers are said (offered up - in church talk) to ask for blessing and success for the endeavor. Is this an official imprimatur? The Protestant churches do not have a hierarchy like the Catholic Church. This is as close as the evangelicals come - pastors and elders present this worker to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit through these prayers. We are saying we believe this person was called by God to do the work, and prepared, able and willing. We are saying this worker is adequate for the good work the Lord will have him do. The worker is being blessed by the church through the elders, and being launched into the world for God to use for His glory and as He sees fit. This is why we are not to be hasty, for we the church body is saying this person represents Jesus and the church in which we fellowship. If something goes wrong, heaven forbid, the world wonders what we were thinking to send ‘that person’. If the world sees ‘that person’ denigrate the name of Jesus, why would it have any respect for those who sent ‘that person’?
Think of the times you have cringed when a pastor or a priest of a church is accused of some sin - sexual abuse, immorality, greed, embezzlement. Several things have happened (beyond the sin committed). The pastor or priest was no longer of 'good reputation', the sins were covered up by the church until they could no longer be hidden, and the secular public sneers at the church, thinking, “Those ‘holy’ ones are worse than the rest of us.” The name of Jesus Christ has been shamed.
"identify with the sins" - Some versions say, “share responsibility” - What? I wasn't involved! Why must I share the responsibility? Because you are the church, shame brought upon the church by the sins of a leader stains you also. Sharing the gospel is so much more difficult when the person with whom you are talking doesn't want anything to do with the church. The behavior of the believers turns them off. That is a mighty barrier to surmount. Yes, we share the gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit. But, how will they call upon Jesus to save them if they haven't heard? How will they hear if they won't listen because the church's reputation deafens them to the message?
"keep yourself pure" - This can also be read "keep yourself free from sin." The church, the local body of believers, must have a spotless reputation, must be stable, above reproach, respectable. Of course there will be lies told about the church. The lies will fall away, the truth will out. Exposed sins of leaders and church members are an acid eating away at the facade of the church.
Vs. 23: - “(Stop drinking just water, but use a little wine for your digestion and your frequent illnesses.)”
"use a little wine" - Paul was well aware of how physical illness hampers a ministry. (Gal. 4:13-15) We can only guess what Timothy's illness might be - indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea. Fatherly advice to be careful and stay healthy.
Vs. 24: - “The sins of some people are obvious, going before them into judgment, but for others, they show up later.“
"sins of some people are obvious" - Some are committed in full view of everyone around. Some in secret and known only to themselves, or maybe a few others. Neither will escape judgment. (See: Eccl. 11:9; 12:13-14; Matt. 10:26; Rom. 2:16; 1 Cor. 2:5) Nothing can be hidden from God.
Vs. 25: - “Similarly good works are also obvious, and the ones that are not cannot remain hidden.“"good works are also obvious" - This is a good thing. This brings glory to Jesus. That is our goal as Christians.
*** [End of Chapter]
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