The oldest surviving panel icon of Christ Pantocrator, encaustic on panel, c. 6th century.
Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory (1 Timothy 3:14–16).
As Paul moves from his opening remarks to addressing the false teaching that had been abounding in the church at Ephesus, he doesn’t want to lose sight of Jesus. Theologians differ in their views over the form and structure of the hymn of praise in verse 16, but the content is clear – the second person of the Trinity shapes our faith and practice. We may not fully understand the mystery of God becoming man and returning to heaven, but we know that through his dwelling in us we can bear the fruit of goodness and godliness.
Take a moment to consider the words of the ancient song, such as Jesus appearing in the flesh. As the opening of John’s gospel puts it, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Our God through Jesus is fully acquainted with the feelings we experience, such as joy and grief.
The rest of the hymn also reflects his dual nature of God and man. For instance, as a man he has been preached amongst the nations and believed by millions around the world. In terms of him being God, angels have seen him and he was taken from earth into heaven.
How does Jesus being both divine and human affect you?
For reflection: “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world… Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:9, 12).
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people (1 Timothy 2:1–6).
In September 2015, Queen Elizabeth II surpassed Queen Victoria to be the longest reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. As an American who is now also her subject, I’ve harbored mixed feelings and views about the monarchy over the years. But I am humbled by the Queen, who has served her country tirelessly as part of her duty and calling. It’s an hono(u)r to pray for her and her reign.
We might feel jolted by Paul’s command to Timothy to pray for rulers and kings, coming so soon in this letter of instructions for Timothy. But Paul yearns that the gospel would be proclaimed and accepted, and he knows that a just and ordered society will better foster its message as one that people can hear and heed than when they dwell in a culture of corruption. Note too the various ways Paul wants the church to pray – through petition, prayer, intercession, and thanksgiving – for he knows that God hears our prayers.
We might find it difficult to pray for our rulers, especially if we find their policies differing from what we hold to. But prayer is something constructive that we can engage with, as we ask God to help shape our societies to be places where people can thrive in freedom and faith. Perhaps you could join with others from your neighborhood or church, once a month or once a term, to pray for your local and national leaders. We trust that God hears us, and responds.
Prayer: Lord God, you are the ultimate Ruler, just and fair. We give you thanks for those in authority over us, praying that they would embody values of wisdom, justice and mercy.
Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen (1 Timothy 1:13–17).
The apostle Paul could have written the original “triumph over tragedy” story – the killer who was blinded by the light, transformed, and changed, and then sent to love the ones he had persecuted. Though his life was not one of smooth sailing, he never forgot who he had been, and who – and Whose – he now was. As he says to Timothy, he was once a violent slayer of God’s reputation. But now he was redeemed and renewed; one whom God promised eternal life because of his great mercy and love.
His reference about being the sinner-made-new shows the power of narrative and testimony, for as his life reflects, God can effect lasting change. He’s no longer a blasphemer or persecutor, but one filled with faith and love, and he cannot contain his worship for the God who saved him (v 17).
Whether our history reflects stories of betrayal and heartbreak or those of love and acceptance, we can join Paul in his song of praise for the One who deserves our honor and reverence.
For reflection: “But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness” (Romans 6:17–18).
Painting by Blaffer Foundation Collection, Houston, TX, Public Domain
Time for a new devotional series! For the next few months, I will be sharing weekly thoughts based on 1 and 2 Timothy. We’ll explore how the Apostle Paul sometimes gets a bad rap as being misogynistic, harsh, and didactic. But perhaps he’s seen this way when people forget that we’re only reading half of the conversation, as Conrad Gempf points out in How to Like Paul Again. If we don’t consider the bigger picture, we might be confused as to why Paul would tell one church that they needed to tighten up (the Corinthians) whereas he tells another they should loosen up (the Galatians). When we delve more deeply into the clues in the letters and those in the book of Acts, we may grow to understand Paul’s heart and hopes not only for the gospel, but for the growth and flourishing of those in the early church.
In his letters to Timothy, Paul writes to a younger man whom he has mentored. In his first letter he knows that Timothy faces the effect of false teachers who are leading people astray. Such is the level of his concern that he uses strong language to encourage Timothy to root out the heresy and lead the people into the ways of truth and life. He instructs him about church life and how the leaders should live, and how they should treat the widows in their midst.
1 Timothy also contains a controversial passage where Paul forbids women to speak in church (2:11–15). I haven’t included it in our daily readings, partly because our space is limited – in contrast to the doctorate dissertations, articles, and books written on it. But I also don’t want to impose my view on you in your daily engagement with the Bible.
As we’ll see, Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy after his letter to Titus, when he was still concerned about the influence of false teachers. By the time of this final letter, that crisis seems to have passed, but Paul faces execution in Rome at the hands of Nero. His letter to the man he mentored, whom he now sees as an equal, contains his last words. He sums up the charge he leaves Timothy with as he embraces his final homecoming.
I pray our journey into these pastoral letters will enrich, challenge, and encourage you.
As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work – which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm (1 Timothy 1:3–7).
False doctrines, myths, and endless genealogies – the apostle Paul instructed Timothy to stay where he is so that he can speak against the teachers who, as Paul’s says clearly, don’t know what they’re talking about. Paul doesn’t mince his words when naming the truth about others spreading falsehoods, but neither is he overly concerned with rules for rules sake. What he’s most keen to stress is love, which he says is the goal of the life of faith.
I wonder what Paul would say to Christians today. Have we, on the one hand, become too worked up over naming false teaching? Or on the other, have we embraced myths and thus utter meaningless talk? Or do we land somewhere in between? No doubt we all veer one way or another at times, and therefore we need a dose not only of humility but of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to keep us walking in step with God.
We can ask the Lord to make love our goal, helping us keep a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. As he molds us, he may gently reveal the stances we grasp too strongly or the areas in our lives in which we need to tighten up. His correction is soaked in love, not condemnation, making it all the easier to welcome and receive.
Prayer: Purify my heart, Lord, and cleanse my conscience, that my works might bring you glory and spread your love.
