The Characteristics Of Godly Ministers

INTRO

As Paul continued to write this letter, he began to talk to Timothy from his role as an older pastor to a younger one. Warren Wiersbe outlines Paul’s expectations of Timothy in chapter 4—Paul called Timothy to be a good minister by preaching the Word (vv. 1–6), a godly minister by practicing the Word (vv. 7–12), and a growing minister by progressing in the Word (vv. 13–16).¹

TEACHING

1 Timothy 4:1-6: In verses 1–2, Paul told Timothy the Holy Spirit said some would leave the faith in later times, following deceitful spirits and the teaching of demons. Nelson’s Commentary suggests, “Paul may be referring to various prophecies inspired by the Holy Spirit concerning defection from God’s truth, or he might be speaking of a revelation the Spirit had given to him.”² Paul’s statement does not necessarily mean these people would walk away from the faith. It could mean they would stop walking out their faith in obedience to God.³ Demons are fallen angels who are Satan’s minions. They are deceitful spirits and will work to pull us away from God, using things like the spirit of pride or the spirit of fear. Even as believers we still have to deal with demons (Matthew 16:21–23). Even Jesus’ closest disciples (Peter, James, and John) had to fight the demons, like in Matthew 16, when Jesus told Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!” Another example of the results of demons is found in the lives of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1–10. They lied to the Holy Spirit about what they had received from selling some land, testing the Spirit of the Lord. The church today has to acknowledge and talk about the enemy.

Some of the false teachings are listed in verse 3—forbidding marriage, which God designed, and requiring abstinence from certain foods that God had created and blessed. Paul emphasized everything God created is good and sanctified (set apart) by the word of God and prayer (v. 5) and should not be rejected when received with thanksgiving (v. 4). In verse 6, Paul points out that as a good servant of Christ, Timothy needed to continue to nourish himself through God’s Word. One way to be a good servant of Christ is to point out the false teachings so they do not influence believers.

1 Timothy 4:7–12: Paul encourages Timothy to practice the Word of God as well as preaching it. Paul told him to have nothing to do with irreverent and silly myths but rather to train (exercise) himself in holiness (v. 7). Nelson’s Commentary explains the word train or exercise was the term used “for the physical training of Greek athletes. True spirituality requires one to train at godliness in one’s walk with the Lord.”⁴ Paul explained training of the body has only temporary results while training in godliness is eternal (v. 8). Nelson’s Commentary explains verse 9 as Paul’s admonition that “no one can deny” what he had written.⁵ Paul stated believers were to labor and strive because their hope was in God, the Savior of everyone (v. 10). The statement, “especially of those who believe,” draws a contrast between God’s common grace to all and His special saving grace to those who trust Him as their Savior.”⁶ Therefore, Paul encouraged Timothy to teach the things he had just listed in verse 10 (v. 11). Timothy was to be a godly example, regardless of how young he was (v. 12). Nelson’s Commentary explains the word young used here usually included men up to the age of 40 and Timothy was probably between 35 and 40 years old at the time. Nelson’s Commentary continues, “The antidote for his youth was his life.”⁷ Timothy was told to be an example through the words he said (Ephesians 4:15), through his behavior (Galatians 5:16; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:6), in the love of God (1 John 4:18–21), in the attitude of the Holy Spirit, in the faith (through trust in God) (1 Timothy 1:14; 2:15; 6:11), and in purity (in sexual matters and thoughts) (Philippians 4:8; Colossians 3:25).⁸

1 Timothy 4:13–16: Finally, Paul instructs Timothy to keep growing in the Lord. Paul stated he wanted to come to Ephesus, but until he could, he instructed Timothy to publicly read Scripture (Acts 13:15), encourage believers to obey the Word, and to teach God’s Word (v. 13). Paul then instructed Timothy not to neglect the spiritual gift he had received through prophecy and the laying on of hands by the council of elders (v. 14). This past experience for Timothy was a part of his being commissioned for the work he was called to do and probably happened while he was still in Lystra (Acts 16:1). Paul further instructs Timothy to practice using his given gift. Paul wanted Timothy to be committed to using those gifts (v. 15). Paul closed this section by instructing Timothy to pay attention to his own life and in his teaching to make sure he was doing what God had called him to do. In all this, Timothy was to persevere and continue on with the ministry he had been given (v. 16).

CLOSING

Paul understood how important it was for Timothy to continue to grow in the Lord, even as he led the believers in Ephesus. Paul’s instructions are relevant to us today. We are called to His work and gifted specifically to do His work. We are successful only when we focus on growing spiritually through the Holy Spirit within us.