May 11 - Nourished

May 11 - Nourished - 1 Timothy 4:6-16

Diane says:
For some reason I spent time studying the Greek translation today. Though our translations are generally good, many times we miss intricacies because we understand this in limited English. For instance, in 1 Timothy 4:6, the words 'brought up' are actually translated as 'nourished.' Timothy will be nourished in the truths of the faith ...

We saw godless myths and old wives tales in 1 Timothy 1:4. Stories and fantasies are one thing, but when they become fodder for debate and discussion within the church, they become very dangerous. Paul wanted Timothy to exercise not only his body, but to constantly work on becoming like God. That was much more important.

When Paul wrote this letter, Timothy was probably between 38-40 years old. In that day, he would have been considered old if he was a captain in the army, but very young for an elder in the church.

Notice the order of things in 1 Timothy 4:13: public reading of Scripture, preaching and teaching. Three basic elements of proclaiming God's Word. Reading aloud in worship, preaching - which reaches the heart and soul, and teaching - which reaches the intellect.

Be diligent. Watch yourself. Persevere. To save himself and hearers from the influence of false teachers.

Rebecca says:
Four chapters into Timothy and I get the impression that Paul was the long winded sort. It’s okay, I can say that with no disrespect, because it generally takes one to know one! But I look at this laundry list of admonishments and directions, and quite honestly I don’t know how Timothy didn’t just turn in his bingo chips and disciple badge and run for cover. The belly of a whale might appear rather tempting at this point.

This man, much younger than most elders, had to command certain men, well respected and established men with a large following to quit teaching false doctrines. Picture that in today’s world - some young up and comer walking up a mega church pastor to tell them to quit teaching false doctrine! Forget about the pastors, the congregations would rip him to shreds! Then, there is the little task of reminding women they need to stop braiding their hair and oh yeah, you're also supposed to remain silent! If these women were vocal enough for Paul to take notice, I think we are safe to assume that they might not graciously receive this directive. Timothy gets the noble task of laying down the qualifications for all those wanna be overseers and bursting many a bubble, and if that wasn't enough he gets to tackle the deacons and inventory their characteristics as well as their wives. This list of directives goes on and on and on. All the while he must still remember to do this with love, keep hold of his faith and guard his conscience to keep it in good standing. WHEW!!! I am exhausted just writing this. Can you imagine how Timothy felt reading it?

Sometimes it feels as if God asks us to do things that are too much and our hope and all that good intentioned fire seems to stagger under the weight of it. When we look at what lies before us as a child, a believer, or a disciple, the tasks can become suffocating to these mortal bodies.

What is so wonderful is that God knows that and conveyed it to Paul. I think that is why in these ten verses Paul begins to breathe life back into those wilted arms of his. Do you know that in just these ten verses Paul uses the word 'you' in some form or other 17 times! That is a lot, considering the cumulative total from the previous 3 chapters is only eight. After all that direction, Paul is wise enough to not keep doling it out. He stops to breathe and recharge poor Timothy.

Paul says: “Hey Tim, don't let them talk down to you just because you're young! Rise up and show then not just with words but with your life that you are truly who you claim to be and that you practice what you preach! Until I’m there beside you, keep sharing that word, speak it and make that flesh of theirs hear it at every turn. Preach it. Touch and transform their hearts with His love. Teach that word. Blow them away with the sheer knowledge that lives in this book! Don’t forget this is a gift. Treasure it and remember it wasn’t given in passing, it was relayed through the Spirit when those hands were laid on you. Be diligent, don’t give up! Give every bit of yourself to them. Lay that life down and offer it to them like hors d’oeuvres at a party! And in all of it be careful, watch what you say, how you say it and continually examine if you are living it or if all of it is merely just words you throw to a crowd, because if it comes from you, if it comes from that true pure place inside of you that only God can touch, your life will never be the same and that will ripple out to all the people that surround you!”

Wow Wow Wow!!! After a pep talk like that, I bet Timothy was bolstered up and hungry to do what he was called to do!

What it is that you and I have been called to do? What weighty tasks do we see and think it is too much? Paul’s pep talk applies to us too. Maybe when we start to stagger under the weight of what is in front of us we need to come back to these verses and as we read them replace each of Paul's 17 'yous' with our name. Make it personal and digest the fact that what lies ahead is not a task but a calling and we are just as equipped as Timothy.

Thanks Paul, I guess in this passage that long winded vibe of yours really paid off!