Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
[but set an example for the believers] … in love…
Summary: Setting an example with our words and deeds is commendable. Making sure that our example is worthy of our Lord Jesus is a challenge.
Paul’s instruction to Timothy so far includes the following: “… set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love…”
Continue reading “1 Timothy 4:12d – Godly Love “
[but set an example for the believers] … in conduct…
Summary: What we say and what we do are both important. What is best is when the two match up.
So far, the whole passage we are looking at reads:
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct…”
Continue reading “1 Timothy 4:12c – Faith & Feats”
[but set an example for the believers] … in speech…
Summary: Paul provides a list of ways believers should be an example to others. The first item on his list is “speech.”
In our meditation on 1 Timothy 4:11, we took a close look at the context of Paul’s words, “Command and teach these things.” Authority in the Body of Christ is not universal. We each have authority over our own bodies, but when it comes to the Body of Christ, we submit to a higher authority — that of Jesus Christ.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 4:12b – Word Power”
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers …
Summary: Paul’s instruction to Timothy is something that is still true today. Everyone needs a good role model to follow.
1 Timothy 4:12 is another passage rich in content. In this sentence, Paul instructs and encourages Timothy because he is “young.” (“Young” in this context meant that Timothy didn’t have grey hair yet.)
Continue reading “1 Timothy 4:12a – Leading by Example”
Command and teach these things.
Summary: Understanding Paul’s words in this passage involves humble self-reflection and an honest assessment of what our role is in the Body of Christ.
This verse has to be one of the shortest and most direct sentences that Paul has ever written!
Continue reading “1 Timothy 4:11 – Context Matters”
That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
Summary: This passage is a hum-dinger. Paul’s words leave us with a paradox wrapped up in a controversy.
This verse, like so many others in this letter to Timothy, is difficult. It can be analyzed from several different angles, but for the sake of this meditation, we are going to use a very simple analysis. Paul’s sentence can be divided into two parts. One is paradoxical, and the other is controversial.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 4:10 – Why We Train”
This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.
Summary: Looking back at Paul’s ‘trustworthy sayings’ helps us gain perspective on his strategy for the Lord’s churches.
The words in this passage represent the third time Paul has pointed to a “trustworthy saying.”
Continue reading “1 Timothy 4:9 – Focus on the Truth”
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Summary: Does godliness have a value? It turns out that it does.
Perhaps you have heard it said that this is a “dog eat dog” world?
As gruesome as that saying is, the reality of a world without Christ is much worse. When it comes to “getting your way” in the world, the shortest distance between you and what you want is probably at the end of a good, stout club.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 4:8 – The Life to Come”
… rather, train yourself to be godly.
Summary: Learning to train ourselves to be godly requires thinking about spiritual training in a whole new way.
I would love to sit down with Paul and talk about the history of the church so far. It would be interesting to hear his take on what he would categorize as “godless myths and old wives’ tales.”
Continue reading “1 Timothy 4:7b – Training For Jesus”
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales…
Summary: Paul’s challenge to avoid “godless myths and old wives’ tales” makes us wonder how we tell the difference between truth and fiction.
What is the difference between the truth and a “godless myth”?
Continue reading “1 Timothy 4:7a – The Line”