After dealing
with the idea that “in the latter times some shall depart from
the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”
who would bring in such heresy
and lies such as “forbidding to marry”
and “to abstain
from meats” which were created
by God and not to be refused if “it is sanctified by the
word of God and prayer”, Paul
went on to write to Timothy his “son in the faith”
concerning being “a good minister of Jesus Christ”.
We read Paul's words in chapter four and verse six of his letter to
Timothy:
If you put
the brethren in remembrance of these things, you shall be a good
minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of
good doctrine, whereunto you have attained.
The verse begins, “If
you put the brethren in remembrance of these things, you shall be a
good minister of Jesus Christ,...” Let
us notice the conditional word “If”
which begins this Greek phrase “hypotithēmi
adelphos hypotithēmi” that
is interpreted “you put the
brethren in remembrance” which
means “to place underneath or supply brothers and fellow man with
these instructions” “of
these things”
or “these words”. Should Timothy remind the brothers and sisters
within the church in Ephesus of these words, Paul proclaimed “you
shall be”
or “it shall follow and come to pass” “a
good”
which means “beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice,
surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable and admirable”
“minister”
or “one who executes the commands of another especially of a master
or one who is a servant and attendant like unto a waiter”. Timothy
would be a good “servant” “of
Jesus Christ”
whose name and title means “Jehovah is Salvation the anointed
Messiah”. As Timothy reminded the brethren within the church of the
doctrines of Jesus Christ, he would be serving Jesus in a good,
beautiful, commendable and admirable manner.
The
verse goes on to say, “...nourished up in
the words of faith and of good doctrine,...” Paul
added that Timothy's words would make the people
“nourished up” which literally means “to
fill or feed” and metaphorically means “to educate or form in the
mind” “in the words”
or “speech, discourse, doctrine and teaching” “of
faith” or “conviction that God exists and
is the creator and ruler of all things and the provider and bestower
of eternal salvation through Christ Jesus who is the Messiah” “and
of good” or “beautiful,
handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful,
suitable, commendable and admirable” “doctrine”
which means “teaching and instruction”. When Timothy reminded the
brethren in Ephesus of the instructions of Paul, he would be feeding
them with surpassing faith and precious doctrine of Jesus Christ.
Finally
the verse says, “...whereunto you have attained.” As
an admirable footnote and encouragement to Timothy, Paul added,
“whereunto” which means “which or that” “you have
attained” or “followed closely, accompanied, fully known and
have understanding towards”. In other words, the doctrine and
teachings of which Timothy was to remind others were those which he
had fully known and understood himself.
When
we ponder Paul's words to Timothy, we should put ourselves in
Timothy's place. If Paul were writing these things to us, which in
effect he is, would we be found to be “a good minister” to
others? Have we followed after and understood the teachings and
doctrines of Christ that others would deem us “good servants of
Jesus Christ” for not only sharing these doctrines but living
according to them as well? Perhaps we are new in the faith, and the
teachings of Jesus are unfamiliar to us. If so, let this be an
encouragement to discover more of His truths, and if we are well
seasoned in the Lord Jesus' words, let us examine ourselves to be
sure we are teaching and demonstrating them as “good ministers”
before others. May the Lord help us in our service and ministering to
Him is our prayer.
Next
time Paul tells Timothy to refuse “profane and old wives'
fables”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
No comments:
Post a Comment