14th August 2023

A letter from a father to a son

This study is the sixteenth in a series of studies on the books of the New Testament
(1 Timothy – read in 9 minutes)

Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
1 Timothy 3:14-15 (NIV)

This letter gives us insight to the organisational issues and problems that inevitably follow when churches grow and become established. Offerings are collected to support the preaching of the gospel but also to support believers who have need. There is the possibility that this will be abused, and it seemed to be a problem with some in the Ephesus church. Paul’s response is, ‘…and not let the church be burdened…’ (1 Timothy 5:16). The larger the group the more likely that false teaching would find a way in, and throughout the letter Paul admonishes Timothy to be aware of this. A growing church needs structures to manage all this and Paul details the responsibilities of ministers and deacons, and the sort of people who should fill these roles. People who are, ‘…self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, …’. The list goes on. (1 Timothy 3:1-13). 

1 Timothy could be read as a manual for ministry and it serves a real purpose in this respect. But given that it was written to a man Paul declared great closeness to – calling him ‘my true son in the faith’ (1 Timothy 1:2) – it has surprising suggestions of micromanagement on Paul’s part. He gives very specific instructions on dealing with teaching that diverges from the true gospel, unacceptable behaviour of certain brethren – even forgetting the purpose of their calling. There are detailed directions on ‘how people ought to conduct themselves…’ (1 Timothy 3:15); he even offers Timothy dietary advice (1 Timothy 5:23). 

If the epistle is read as a response to a letter that Timothy might have sent Paul, listing a number of problems he was facing in the Ephesus church, asking advice from his ‘father’ in the gospel and sharing his own health problems, the contents of Paul’s letter can be seen in a different light. The logical progression through a number of problems is the sort of thing any of us might do when answering a letter from a friend. Questions are answered. Where needed, help is offered. A personal visit is planned in the hope it might help. (1 Timothy 3:14). And in Paul’s case, it is all embedded in the overriding perspective – the imminent return of Jesus Christ. 

He signs off with an impassioned ‘O Timothy!’ and goes on to plead, ‘Guard what was committed to your trust…’. He could even fear that Timothy might become infected with ‘…profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge…’ (1 Timothy 6:20 NKJV). This tone is echoed in 1 Timothy 6:11-13 where the language he uses is very strong: ‘But you, O man of God, flee these things…I urge you in the sight of God…’. Paul appears worried about Timothy’s own position. He has already begged him, ‘Do not neglect your gift, which was given you…’ (1 Timothy 4:14 NIV). Paul’s overwhelming desire to help, guide, direct and support a young minister whom he has great affection for is powerfully expressed.

Prayer
Father, we ask that we may always remember that God ‘…appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory…’ ¹ and that our conduct may always seek to show this understanding. Amen.

Study by Maggie Mitchell

¹ 1 Timothy 3:16

About the writer:
Maggie Mitchell attends the Northampton congregation of Grace Communion International and is Chair of the Pastoral Council

Local congregation:
GCI Northampton
Ecton Village Hall
78A High Street
Ecton
Northampton
NN6 0QB

Local congregational contact:
Maggie Mitchell
Email:  maggie.mitchell@btinternet.com

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church