Preparation For Leadership I Timothy 4:1-16
In this magnificent study of the book of I Timothy, we must remember that Paul is writing to Timothy as he ministers to the church in Ephesus. I Timothy 4:1-16 may be outlined as follows: I. Exhibiting Leadership by Warning Against Apostasy – I Timothy 4:1-5; II. Exhibiting Leadership by Teaching the Word of God in View of False Teachings – I Timothy 4:6-11; III. Exhibiting Leadership by Remaining Steadfast In and Heeding the Truth
I Timothy 4:12-16
- Exhibiting Leadership by Warning Against Apostasy – I Timothy 4:1-5
In verse 1, as Christ’s return approaches, there will be a great apostasy, for some people will abandon the faith to follow after false teaching of deceiving spirits and demons. The teachings of demons are false doctrines taught by deceivers whose views are spurred by demons. Satan’s system of error is propagated through hypocritical liars – “men who speak lies in hypocrisy.” Satan selects these representatives, having consciences seared as with a hot iron (v. 2).
The false teachers of Ephesus were advocates of Gnosticism. The Gnostics advanced that the spirit is good, but matter was evil. They believed that appetites and desires relating to the body should be rooted out. These false teachers forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods. Paul combated this teaching by stating that matter was not inherently evil; it is rather part of what God created. The things that God created should gratefully be received with thanksgiving (vv. 3-4).
In verse 5, the good things provided by the Lord in creation are to be consecrated by the word of God and prayer. All foods are clean (Genesis 1:29-31; 9:3), and through prayer, the Christian thanks God and dedicates the food to His glory (I Corinthians 10:31)
- Exhibiting Leadership by Teaching the Word of God in View of False Teachings – I Timothy 4:6-11
In his grave instructions to Timothy, Paul was vitally concerned with the influx of false teaching that would infiltrate the church. In the previous verses of this chapter, Paul had discussed a form of false teaching called asceticism that advanced the idea that one should abstain from marriage and that one should abstain from partaking of certain kinds of foods.
In verse 6, Paul admonished Timothy to “put the brethren in remembrance of these things”: that is, the fact that false teaching will make its advancement and would cause ascetic practices. By reminding the people “of these things”, Timothy will be accounted as a worthy servant of the Lord. Because of the fact that Timothy was thoroughly acquainted with the truth of the faith and was feeding on it, he was confident as he instructed others with sound doctrine. Timothy was to combat false teaching among the Ephesus church by knowing the truth and passing it on to others; however, before he passes it on to others, he must be acquainted with it himself.
As Timothy conveyed the truth to others in verses 7 and 8, he was to have nothing to do with “godless and useless myths and old wives’ tales.” Instead, Timothy was to discipline himself in godliness (verse 7). Timothy was to discipline himself in scripture and applying it to his life. In verse 8, Paul used the athletics analogy to stress the superb value that spiritual fitness has in relation to bodily exercise. Bodily exercise has only temporal value, whereas, spiritual fitness or godliness has eternal value!
In verse 9, Paul gives a statement of confirmation to the previous truth that godliness has eternal value. Paul stressed that “godliness must be aggressively pursued, for he uses the expression, “for therefore we both labour and suffer reproach” (verse10). Paul was confident that the struggle in pursuit of godliness was worth it because his trust was “in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, and especially of those who believe.”
In verse 11, Paul was enjoining Timothy to be strong and valiant in his ministry! As Paul further instructs his son in the ministry, Paul exhorts Timothy to conduct his life in a godly way and become an example to other Christians in every aspect of his life.
III. Exhibiting Leadership by Remaining Steadfast In and Heeding the Truth
I Timothy 4:12-16
Timothy was not to be intimidated by his young age; however, he was to order his life by being a godly example before others (verse 12). Until Paul arrived in Ephesus, Timothy was admonished by Paul to be engaged in three ministries: “reading, and to exhortation and doctrine” (verse 13). Timothy was to make sure that the word be read publicly; he is to make sure that the word be expounded upon; and attention must be applied to doctrine by Timothy.
In verse 14, Timothy may have had a poor image of himself; however, God supplied him with enabled ability for service. Timothy should not ignore the fact that God had enabled him for service. This gift that Timothy had was bestowed – “by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.” Paul will further exhort Timothy in verse 15 to “meditate upon these things.” By meditating, he is to be diligent as he exemplifies godliness to others and as he proclaims the word publicly before others. In conclusion, Paul cautions Timothy to watch both his private life and public ministry (verse 16). If he does so, Paul says, “You will save both yourself and your hearers.”
May God Bless!
