Epistle – 1 Timothy 1-3

The theme of 1 Timothy can perhaps be summarised by 1 Timothy 3:15

“but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

Do we know how we ought to conduct ourselves in church?  When we are in church, do we see it as the house of God?  Do we view the Church as the pillar and ground of the truth?

If not, then we should read 1 Timothy 1-3.

Bible Passage:  1 Timothy 1-3

Very briefly, Paul wrote this epistle to Timothy to instruct Timothy on some pastoral matters. Timothy was left at Ephesus with a very specific purpose – to defend sound doctrine and to combat false teachings in the church (1 Tim 1:3-4).

Chapter 2 also gave specific instructions to the men and women in church regarding worship, while chapter 3 gave specific instructions regarding the offices of deacons and bishops.

We can probably see 1 Timothy as a very practical book to apply to our Christian life, but the question to ask is, do we?

Desiring to be teachers?

I read somewhere these words “I’d rather follow, than to lead; I’d rather be taught, than be a teacher.”

Do we desire to be teachers? Often, we would admit that we do.

It is a nice feeling to be able to exert one’s authority over another, showing that we know more than the other. But the Bible has very strict demands about teachers. Elder James said, “Let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” (James 3:1)

The gospel books also remind us that we will be held accountable for every word that proceeds out of our mouth in the last days.

Being a teacher, I came to know that you have to be careful with your words. Because your students are always alert to catch your words! If there is any discrepancy between what you just said and what you are doing, your students are the first to know and be assured that they would definitely point that out to you.

Therefore, the very words that came out of our mouth judges us. They form the very standard that will be used against us in the last days.

Are we then doing what we preach? Or do we say one thing, yet do another?

In 1 Timothy 1:7, Paul described a group of people who desire to be teachers of the law, yet they understand neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.

This sent a warning signal to my brain! Have I been guilty of these, especially when I have been writing entries, like the one you are reading now, only in the wee hours of the night?

Do I understand what I am saying, especially the things which I affirm?

This seemed to be a scary thought. In fact, writers are teachers, because as one writes, one is instructing another according to the Word of God. Writers, like teachers, then also shall receive a stricter judgment.

Proverbs 10:19 states “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” It is my prayer that in the multitude of my writings, they have only serve to edify.

What do we adorn ourselves with?

In 1 Timothy 2:9-10, Paul exhorts women to adorn themselves in modest apparel and with good works, for this is proper for women professing godliness.

I find that there is a trend, especially of the sisters in church, to be dressed up for services. This is not a bad thing; it shows our reverence and heart towards God. We actually take the time to look good because we have a date with God.

Adornments are something visible. They are the things we wear or put on, so that people can see. Why did I choose to define it this way? Frequently, I have heard comments like these exchanged in church

“I like your bag! Where did you get it?”

“:That is a really pretty top.”

“You look really good in that dress.”

These comments come so naturally that it is often only when they have left my mouth that I realise it. It is not to say that such comments are not good. But it did make me think further…. if such comments can come so naturally, what about these comments?

“That was really nice of you to talk to that truth-seeker.”

“It is good that you took time to pray during lunch.”

“I like how you always greet everyone with your smile!”

If we take notice of others’ physical adornments, surely we can also notice others’ spiritual adornments. But have we commented on those?

We all know that positive reinforcements works. Receiving comments that we look pretty when we took the time to dress up does make us willingly spend the time to dress up the next week.

I just wonder, why don’t we try to extend such comments to our spiritual adornments and see what happens?

Faithful with the small things

Finally, when Paul wrote about the qualities of a bishop, he also noted in brackets these words

“for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?” (1 Tim 3:5)

This reminded me of the verse in Luke,

“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much” (Luke 16:10).

Sometimes we wonder about our roles in church.

Some members seem to be doing a lot while I am not.  And you wonder why is it that the others can do all these ‘significant’ duties that they do while you just have your small basic duties to do.

The lesson to be learned here is that God starts us off on the small things first and if we prove ourselves to be faithful, He will entrust more to us… just like He entrust the bishop who has proven himself to be overseers of the church.

When God has something great for you to do, He often starts with something small.

We may grumble or feel slighted that for years we are doing what might be considered an insignificant task where it looks like no progress is being made.  But be assured, you are being prepared for the great things that God has in store for you.

Just because we start out doing small things does not mean we are going to end there.

But we have to be faithful even in the small things because it helps build up our character – our spiritual character.  Our roots are going down deep.  We are developing strength, trust and confidence.  And we all know that unless our roots go down deep, we cannot go high.

So don’t despise your current situation if you feel that the work you do in church is small.  Continue doing it faithfully, because you are laying for yourself a foundation.  God is closely watching you.  And at the right time, when God knows you are prepared, you will be entrusted with more.

Indeed, if we are faithful over small matters, it will show that we can be faithful over greater matters.  But if for small matters we are not faithful, we give up or despise the work, how do you think Christ can trust you with greater things?

May all who come behind us “Find Us Faithful”.  I know this song has been shared before but the words are a stirring reminder to us today that even in the small things in life, we are to be found faithful.