[As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people] … not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies.
Summary: The question of who Timothy is supposed to “command” comes into better focus as we examine what he is up against.
Timothy is staying in Ephesus to help strengthen and guide the church there. It also seems clear from Paul’s opening words to Timothy that he is also there to protect and defend the church from anything that would distract or confuse the Gospel.
Luke explains that Ephesus was home to the cult of Artemis (Acts 19:35-36). There were also people there who practiced sorcery (Acts 19:19). Both of these examples were sources of false doctrines, myths, and genealogies.
It may be that Paul was telling Timothy to “command” these people not to teach their beliefs, but that seems like it might be a stretch. People have a right to believe what they want, and Paul certainly understood that. He was an expert at debating with people about the truth of the Gospel, as we see when Paul is in Athens (Acts 17:16-34).
Athens was a city full of idols. Paul’s approach there was not to “command” them to change their minds, but rather to reason with them (Acts 17:16-17). He appealed to both Jews and God-fearing Greeks and anyone else who happened to be there. He even debates with “Epicurean and Stoic philosophers,” hoping to convince them of the truth (Acts 17:18).
It seems that Paul would be more likely to command those who were already believers. After all, it was undisputed that Paul had been chosen by the Lord to be his Apostle to the Gentiles. In Ephesus, God did “extraordinary miracles” through Paul to demonstrate his commission from God and validate his message.
False doctrines were not uncommon among early believers (Gal 1:6–9, Acts 15:1, 1 Cor 15:12, 2 Tim 2:18, 1 John 4:1–3). “Jewish myths” were another problem Paul had encountered (Titus 1:14). “Endless genealogies” may have referred to the Jews’ reliance on their relationship to Abraham as their assurance of acceptance by God (John 8:33-39).
These are people Paul would have no hesitation to “command” in the name of God. They are people who purport to believe in Jesus but add their own interpretations of what is needed to be saved. Paul is an expert on what is needed for salvation:
“[This is] …the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:8-9)
Application: How we defend the Gospel depends in part on who we are talking to.
Food for Thought: What does God want his people to devote themselves to?
The list could be long. Below are a few key verses that came to mind:
Colossians 4: 2: Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Acts 2: 42 – 47: They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 1: 14: They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Romans 12: 9 – 13: Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Matthew 22: 37 – 40: Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ c 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ d 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22: 19 – 20a: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
Acts 1: 8: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
2 Timothy2: 2: And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
Matthew 6: 33: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Colossians 3: 15 – 17: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
2 Timothy 4: 2: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
Thank you, Rich!
Excellent selection of verses!
I especially like Matthew 6: 33:
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Seek God first, and everything else falls into place! 🙂
Rich covered this very well!!
What does God want his people to devote themselves to?
Mathew 6:33 is possibly my favorite “go to” verse.
🙂
Thanks Ron!!
Rich certainly did a good job answering the question!
I would also highlight this, as it is near and dear to my heart:
What does God want his people to devote themselves to?
I believe God wants us to devote ourselves to the renewal of our minds and giving our thoughts to Christ. Not that we can transform ourselves, but that we are open and willing to address the thoughts that are counter to the Holy Spirit, repent, and allow Him to transform us. This takes a mind devoted to Christ.
I have heard this said in many different ways, but I believe it to be true:
Our thoughts become our actions
Our actions become our habits
Our habits becomes our character
Our character becomes our future
Romans 12:2
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
2 Corinthians 11:3
3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
Thank you, Chris!
As God cleans up our thoughts, godly action follows. Well said!