"1 Timothy 3-6, 2 Timothy 1"
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All jobs are important, but during the COVID-19 crisis, we've come to realize that some jobs are essential. Imagine a hospital with no doctors, a grocery store with no one at the register, or a restaurant with no one cooking the food! Especially when difficult times come, these jobs become even more critical to keep our economy functioning smoothly.
In this week's readings in 1st and 2nd Timothy, Paul details a few 'essential' jobs. He encourages elders, deacons, evangelists, and every member to help the body of Christ thrive through tough times.
Frontline Workers
On Monday (1 Tim. 3), Paul tells Timothy about a few critical roles in the church: overseers to lead and deacons to serve. But only certain men are qualified, as Paul explains in detail (1 Tim. 3:2-7, 8-12). Paul hopes to visit Timothy soon, but until then, his letter explains how to handle themselves in the church (1 Tim. 3:14-15).
Then on Tuesday (1 Tim. 4), Paul shifts his focus to the evangelist's work. He warns that "some will depart from the faith" (1 Tim. 4:1), and encourages the young preacher to "have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths" (1 Tim. 4:7) which these false teachers promote. Timothy needs to "command and teach" the truth (1 Tim. 4:11), showing his "example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, (and) in purity" (1 Tim. 4:12).
- Why do you think elders and deacons need to have such a specific character and background?
- What could happen if a preacher didn't "walk the walk" after "talking the talk?"
Essential Jobs
So on Wednesday (1 Tim. 5), Paul gets practical, explaining the church's work for its members. He says to "honor widows who are truly widows" (1 Tim. 5:3). Why make such a distinction? He says that if a family can support a widow, they should. But if a believing widow has no one to take care of them, then it's the church's job to help. He tells them how to handle accusations against elders (1 Tim. 5:19), to watch out for bias and prejudice (1 Tim. 5:21), and to keep their eyes open for evildoers among them (1 Tim. 5:24-25).
- What do you learn about the role of the church in helping its members?
- How should we view our elders who do their job well?
Protect Yourself
On Thursday (1 Tim. 6), Paul warns Timothy again to watch out for those who have "unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words" (1 Tim. 6:4). While they're motivated by pride and greed (1 Tim. 6:2, 5), "godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Tim. 6:6). It's time for Timothy to "fight the good fight of faith" (1 Tim. 6:12) and "guard the deposit entrusted" to him (1 Tim. 6:20).
And finally, on Friday, we transition to Paul's second letter to Timothy (2 Tim. 1), where he echoes many of the same encouragements from 1 Timothy 6. He thanks God for Timothy and his family (2 Tim. 1:3-5), and tells him to stoke the fire of his faith (2 Tim. 1:6). Rather than be ashamed of Paul's suffering, Timothy needs to take courage and "follow the pattern of the sound words" that Paul left him (2 Tim. 1:13).
- What should we watch out for when a brother turns away?
- Paul says we should expect to suffer as servants, so why are we sometimes caught off guard by life's troubles on our race for the eternal crown?
