… nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.
Summary: Nourishment is essential for healthy living. This is true for our faith as well as our bodies.
Good nourishment is essential for growth. This is true for house plants, garden vegetables, and people. People who don’t get proper nourishment struggle to survive, let alone grow.
Spiritual nourishment is the same.
A human spirit deprived of truth and good teaching struggles to survive. Growth and maturity are stunted, and instead of growing toward the Light, the starving spirit rummages through the darkness.
When you see someone engaging in evil — hurting, shaming others, or taking what is not theirs, consider this: They might be starving spiritually. If a person does not know God’s love (agapē), they cannot know what real spiritual nourishment is supposed to taste like.
Paul’s letter to Timothy is a letter from one well spiritually nourished man to another. Paul may have at times been without food (2 Corinthians 11:27), but he is never without God. Timothy may have frequent stomach problems (1 Timothy 5:23), but his spiritual stomach is always full.
A good minister of Christ Jesus nourishes those under his care. And what do they nourish them with? “Truths of the faith” and the “good teaching you have followed.”
So what are the “truths of the faith” Paul is talking about?
The basic truths are those he mentioned earlier: Jesus appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed in, and taken up in glory (1 Timothy 3:16).
The “good teaching” is a little different. Notice that Paul points to teachings that Timothy “has followed.” These are not just sayings to be passed along. These are teachings that help transform the mind to be able to “test and approve what God’s will is” (Romans 12:2). These are the things Paul has been talking about all throughout his letter.
Timothy is a living example of our life in Christ. He has received the basic truths about the Gospel and believed in Jesus Christ. He has accepted the “good teachings” Paul and others have given him and followed them. His life is no longer his own; he belongs to Jesus.
Application: Stay well nourished in the faith.
Food for Thought: What are the ‘basic truths’ that nourish you?
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What are the ‘basic truths’ that nourish you?
1.) I am washed clean by the power pf Christs blood shed for me.
Ephesians, 1:7, In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.
2.) I Exist as a child of God, empowered by His Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:7, Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
3.) I serve God as I become His humble servant, seeking His will over mine in all things.
Numbers 22:38, I must speak only what God puts in my mouth.”
Philippians 2:3-4, Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Thank you, Ron!
I am very glad you shared your list of basic truths. It is inspiring!!
What are the ‘basic truths’ that nourish you?
Two that come to my mind are:
1) That my standing with God does not depend on me, but rather is God having extending His peace towards me, and in doing so, I am able to give freely and honestly to Him, resting securely in His unconditional love.
Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Philippians 2:13 For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
2) That we are completely safe in His care.
Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
Matthew 6:25-26
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
Thank you Chris!
I love the pairing of God’s Grace and Mercy with his love and protection.