1 Timothy 4
Apr 2, 2009
Chapter 4 of 1 Timothy gives a lot of insight into Timothy himself…
The chapter opens with Paul’s concern for the future of the Christian faith. The events in Ephesus have awakened Paul to how gullible people can be when it comes to spiritual things. It is important to be on the look out for false teachers, but the truth is, we often take what someone says as gospel, simply because we haven’t read for ourselves.
In verse 7, Paul instructs us to “have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales”. So many times, Christians fall into vain rituals rather than attempting to “train yourself to be godly”. Are there any silly things you do in place of being truly holy? I knew one guy that would always say ‘God bless you’ after someone sneezed, because he thought that is what Christians were supposed to do. He told me this as he was throwing back a beer.
Paul speaks directly to Timothy’s age in verse 12 when he states, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.” Many young people get annoyed by adults that are condescending and view them as lesser persons because of their age. Paul’s greatest admonition in this verse is telling Timothy to prove them all wrong with his actions.
It is one thing to yell at the top of your lungs that I can make a difference even though I am young. It is quite another to set that example through speech, life, love, faith, and purity. Once upon a time, we had a Student Leadership Team that asked students to live with these five things as their examples. It died, mainly because the kids liked the idea of being leaders, but didn’t like being an example. Will you be an example in your life, or just another kid that is not willing to pay the price?
Verse 14 is interesting because it is here that you learn more about the prophetic message that was given over Timothy. The elders of his church had laid their hands on him and spoke a word of prophesy that led to his calling into the ministry. Ever wonder about your future or feel the need for direction? Apparently Timothy did, and he sought to be prayed with by the older church members that he respected. Enough cannot be said about the wisdom of your elders.
Finally, verse 16 encourages Timothy to watch his life and doctrine closely. In doing so, Paul says that he will save “both yourself and your hearers”. This is a promise to Timothy that by being faithful in his personal life with God, he will become a great leader of others to do the same. Would that we all do the same.
Chapter 5 gets into more practical advice tomorrow. See you then.
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1. Chelsea C. | Apr 2, 2009 at 5:06 pm
i read it, it was okayy
“Will you be an example in your life, or just another kid that is not willing to pay the price?”
that made me think
2. velocityreborn | Apr 2, 2009 at 6:54 pm
What did you think?
3. Rebecca Cruz | Apr 2, 2009 at 5:15 pm
The instruction chapter…
I adore how it points out the obvious in the first verse about how some will abandon faith and follow deceiving spirts/demons etc. I’ve seen it happen so often and I hear people go *gasp* but didn’t they grow up in church!? And I stand there and watch them and go you’re point?
I like how it points out to ignore myths and old wive’s tales repeatedly through out this book.
Also here is the don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young – loved that I think next Christmas I’m going to whip out my bible and tell them to shut up that just because I’m young doesn’t mean I’m stupid XD
4. velocityreborn | Apr 2, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Not sure that whipping out your Bible will prove anyone anything, but being an example in life, love, speech, and the like might do it.
5. Vania Q | Apr 2, 2009 at 5:28 pm
I remember you tellinq me that it didnt matter if i wuz yunq…i had a talent & God wanted me 2 use it 4 him….how God especially uses the yunq ppl because they dnt fill themselves with self-pride like some older ppl do sometimes…im still fiqhtinq with myself about payinq the price to live riqht… its hard & ive already messed up once majorly, but i qot back up & im tryinq even harder…
6. velocityreborn | Apr 2, 2009 at 6:56 pm
You realize that if you asked forgiveness for messing up (even once), then God doesn’t even remember it. So, when He looks at you, He has know idea what you are even talking about. Woo hoo!
7. Alex Father | Apr 2, 2009 at 5:29 pm
The walk of a good minister of jesus Christ need to now the Spirt all the time. So remember let no man despise thy youth but be thou an example of the believers. Many names and divisions based upon differences in doctrine or government Within, for the most part, this historical “Church” has existed the true Church of God which is the body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. So we has the Body must walk in the spirt at all time so we don ‘t fall in temptation and the flesh.
8. velocityreborn | Apr 2, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Good word. With young people setting an example, the Church can really make a difference in the world.
9. Ian R | Apr 2, 2009 at 7:15 pm
The first part is kinda scary like knowing alot of people are going to turn away because they dont know. Its kinda creepy. One thing it says is not argue about meaningless things and take your energy on other topic which is dif. Its like saying dont fight with people who have dif views and wont change is that wat it means?
10. velocityreborn | Apr 2, 2009 at 11:14 pm
That’s a pretty interesting take on the chapter. It is kind of pointless arguing with people about the Bible, though. Nice thoughts.
11. dj jebus | Apr 2, 2009 at 9:03 pm
i feel that it says that if you keep up with your faith and make a good example of your self. . . that your life will be good
12. velocityreborn | Apr 2, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Umm…I don’t know that it is saying that life will be good, but it definitely shows that you will be a person of integrity.
13. Caleb M. | Apr 2, 2009 at 9:49 pm
When ever it said in verse 12 “Don’t let people look down on you Because you are young…” it’s sort of like what PMat was talking about in Vegetable Tales. Do things that people think you can’t do. But, That doesn’t mean to do something stupid. Just do things that you CAN do that people think you can’t.
14. velocityreborn | Apr 2, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Yeah, little guys can do big things, too.
15. Lisa Fonda | Apr 2, 2009 at 9:56 pm
INSTURCTIONS TO TIMOTHY
the part in the beginning was kinda scary like knowing that people r going to turn away because they dont know whats going on.
11.Command and teach those things. Dont let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
i think that all young people like myself shouldnt be looked down upon cuz were young but we should be taught to love and have faith and purity we should showit to others so they know were not just litle kids who dont know anything all they can do is follow thier parents which isnt true we have our own minds and we speak them sometimes we shouldnt be put down just cuz were young is all im saying let them know we can be better than they except us to be
16. velocityreborn | Apr 2, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Paul is telling Timothy that the best way to “show the world” is by being an example to the world in the way you speak and live. Next time you feel like someone is treating you like a “kid”, be an example to them of what a Christian should be.
17. Stacy M | Apr 2, 2009 at 10:09 pm
I love verse 8:
Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. (The Message)
I know most Bibles had the heading, “Instructions for Timothy”,
the heading in my bible was called “Teach With Your Life”.
I like that…
18. velocityreborn | Apr 2, 2009 at 11:18 pm
You got a weird Bible, chick…but based on Nate’s comments, I think you might need to loan it to him.
19. nate dizzle | Apr 2, 2009 at 11:02 pm
maybe im reading the wrong version but it confused me
20. velocityreborn | Apr 2, 2009 at 11:20 pm
It can be confusing if you are reading a Bible that doesn’t “speak your language”. Maybe you can try The Message or the New Living Translation. Those are a lot more “user-friendly”.
21. Lissa Kristine | Apr 3, 2009 at 2:39 am
I kind of like how the New Living Translation words verse 12.
“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.”
Sometimes, I think I look down on myself because I’m so young. I have some dreams that I want to pursue, but I know that I’m really too young, and it makes me hesitant to even look into some of these dreams. Who knows where I’m going to be even in a couple of years?
It’s this mindset that I have that I’m not enough. And, sometimes it’s true that I’m not enough. It will be years before I’m able to really pursue this dream that has been on my heart.
But I need to stop looking down on myself because while I’m not enough for this future dream, I’m enough for what God wants me to do here and now.
22. velocityreborn | Apr 3, 2009 at 9:07 am
That’s an interesting take. I never thought of the verse speaking to looking lowly upon yourself, but you brought a fresh view to it. Thanks.
23. Lissa Kristine | Apr 4, 2009 at 12:10 am
No matter what, there’s always going to be somebody who looks down on you for whatever reason. You can’t let what others think hold you back if it’s something God has called you to do. I almost think the verse talks about the kind of attitude a young person should have. We can’t make people not look down on us because of our age or whatever issues there are. We just can’t let it get to us. If God has called you to do something you need to trust God and press on, even if others around try to bring you down.
“I’m through accepting limits
’cause someone says they’re so
some things I cannot change
but ’till I try, I’ll never know.”
–Wicked (Defying Gravity)
24. Jess d | Apr 3, 2009 at 4:02 pm
something that really stood out to me was verse 8 – physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is more inporatnt, for it promises a reward in both this life and next. i think paul is saying that physical exercise is good for here on earth, but where you exercise your spiritual mind (praying, talking to God, Reading the Bible etc) we will live a better life here and God will also reward us in Heaven. Also verse 12, pauls is saying just bexause your young that dosent mean you cant have an impact on people. You should be an example with your words and actions at any age. Overall i really liked this chapter
25. velocityreborn | Apr 3, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Glad to hear you like the chapter. My prayer is that we can all truly live the chapter. These are great words of action Paul is speaking. He is challenging us to be examples. Woo hoo!
26. Peter F | Apr 3, 2009 at 4:39 pm
tim 4 has some reality check of end times
like what is happening today be careful I know
I always MUST every chance I get I want to
tell you younger people that you are blessed to
be called so young r u here cause mom or dad?
no but mabye search truthfully U R blessed & are
ablessing i will try to learn .’,running together is even
confusing to me cu soon
27. velocityreborn | Apr 3, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Many false teachers will arise in the end, just like you say. That’s why it is important for this generation to step up to the plate, preaching the Good News.