The Apostle Paul's Instructions Regarding False Teachers' Beliefs and Practices PART 3

 The Apostle Paul's Instructions Regarding False Teachers' Beliefs and Practices PART 3

Paul’s Charge to Timothy

[“Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith”

(1 Timothy 1:18-19)][1]

            The Apostle Paul was Timothy’s mentor and spiritual father. He desired for him to be efficient in the work that he was called to do as an evangelist of the Gospel. Timothy had been quite devoted to Paul, and it was with great appreciation and concern for him and the body of Christ that Paul wrote instructions to help them flourish.[2] The strength of the early believers relied heavily on those who preached and taught the gospel so Paul modeled Godly behavior himself before his associates and taught them to do the same as well as the church at large.[3] Paul took great care to give Timothy guidance regarding various challenges that would present itself when dealing with God’s people and those who sought to cause division. In 2 Timothy 2:14-26, Paul provides Timothy with a list of specific situations that he may encounter and carefully empowers him with the tools necessary to avoid any pitfalls.[4]

a.)    Timothy was to warn the church to stay away from frivolous quarrels and debates (2 Timothy 2:14).[5]

When one thinks of the word warn, it is often associated with the feeling that danger could be nearby or is lurking around. The danger that the church was facing was the division that could be caused by false teachers. False teachings were being introduced to the believers that caused those for and against it to come into conflict. Therefore, Timothy was charged with warning the believers to not allow their words to cause them to be a bad witness before others as they were to be a living example unto Christ. He was employed to encourage the believers to stay true to what they had been taught and not allow deceptive ideologies cause them to become conflicted.[6]

b.)   Timothy was to do his best to be a good servant of God and rightly handle God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15).[7]

As previously discussed, there were a lot of false teachers who were spreading heretical teachings throughout the church. These teachings were contrary to the Gospel that Paul taught. Timothy was encouraged by Paul to be a good servant who properly handled the word of God and provide spiritual nourishment to the body.[8] A true servant of God does not give his own philosophical ideas as the Gnostics did. The Lord’s servant studies line upon line and precept upon precept to ensure that God’s people are being taught the ways of the Lord properly, so that they may be a light unto a dark world possessing the knowledge of God’s truth.[9]

c.)    Timothy was to avoid godless chatter so that it would not spread like a disease throughout the church body (2 Timothy 2:16-17).[10]

One of the things that can quickly cause division in a church is erroneous teaching. Paul compares it to gangrene because it spreads quickly and rots the body. Timothy was warned not to be a partaker of it and the way he would be able to avoid it was by staying true to the word of God.[11] Avoiding unfruitful debates and unproductive conversations with those who wanted to spread their heresies was the way for Timothy to not only stay on course himself, but to not permit it to take place within the body of Christ. The false teachers considered themselves to be wise, but they were actually mindless fools because they did not have the knowledge of God.[12] Godless chatter can also consist of harmful talk that causes dissension amongst believers which Paul warned against women who were partakers of this. A Christian must learn to bridle the tongue and only allow words of righteousness to flow from within.[13]

 

d.)   Timothy was to avoid youthful temptations and pursue the ways of the Lord (2 Timothy 2:22).[14]

There are a lot of temptations that young people can find themselves in which Paul warned Timothy to be aware of. As one who was older, Paul was probably reminded of his youth when he may have not made the best decisions and wanted to help Timothy avoid similar pitfalls. As a leader within the body of Christ, it was important that Timothy rose to the occasion to be a role model for both old and younger Christians. Paul had already given instructions as to how a leader was to carry himself, but he needed for Timothy to understand that he would face various temptations and to place his trust in the Lord’s ability to help him through it. The Bible says that Jesus defeated the devil with the Word when He was tempted in the wilderness. Because Jesus is the Word who was made flesh, He is able to give the believer victory over the enemy, Therefore, Timothy was able to allow the Spirit that was within him to help him flee from temptation.[15]

e.)    Timothy was to instruct his opponents gently in hope that they will be convicted of righteousness (2 Timothy 2:23-26).[16]

Paul had a strong desire for the church to model itself after Christ. His instructions to Timothy were to help in that process. Nevertheless, Paul knew that there were those in the church who would be in opposition to what he taught. Therefore, Timothy was to try to win them over gently in love with the expectation that they would come to the knowledge of the truth.[17] The Christian is to always pray for God to help lead those to Him who are not yet of His fold before a person’s time is done on earth. God does not wish for anyone to be lost and Jesus came so that He could save the lost. No one is ever lost because they have to be, but it is a willful choice that they make. A leader’s heart should always be with the longing to see everyone saved and this was Paul’s heart for the church that he desired for Timothy to model as well.[18]

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[1] 1 Tim. 1:18-19 (New International Version).

[2] Bruce, Paul Apostle, 214.

[3] John MacArthur, Pastoral Ministry: How to Shepherd Biblically (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Incorporation, 2005), 221-222.

[4] Stacy E. Hoehl, "The Mentor Relationship: An Exploration Of Paul As Loving Mentor To Timothy And The Application Of This Relationship To Contemporary Leadership Challenges," Journal of Biblical Perspectives in Leadership 3, no. 2 (Summer 2011): 37, https://www.regent.edu/acad/global/publications/jbpl/vol3no2/JBPL_Vol3No2_Hoehl_pp32-47.pdf.

[5] 2 Tim. 2:14 (New International Version).

[6] Hoehl, "Mentor Relationship," 39.

[7] 2 Tim. 2:15 (New International Version).

[8] Hoehl, "Mentor Relationship," 39.

[9] Isa. 28:9-10 (New International Version).

[10] 2 Tim. 2:16-17 (New International Version).

[11] Hoehl, "Mentor Relationship," 38-40.

[12] Prov. 18:2 (English Standard Version).

[13] Eph. 4:29 (English Standard Version).

[14] 2 Tim. 2:22 (New International Version).

[15] John 1:1 (New International Version).

[16] 2 Tim. 2:23-26 (New International Version).

[17] Hoehl, "Mentor Relationship," 39-42.

[18] Ibid.