Saving to read later God has placed an incredible weight of responsibility onto the Christian leaders shoulders. The leader must not only faithfully nurture and direct the church but also pay careful attention to personal piety. A healthy church depends on healthy ministers whose ministry and personal life reflect equally the power of God. Paul emphasizes the weight of this dual responsibility by closing the letter as he opened it, with a solemn charge to Timothy in the presence of God. The dangers of unfaithfulness, both to the leader and to the church, have been graphically spelled out in the interplay between descriptions of false teacher and faithful minister throughout the letter. Now, as the final contrast is made, the clarion call to faithful service resounds. The shape and tone of the text suggest that Paul may have adapted a formal ordination or baptismal charge for emphasis. But again, although the focus in this passage is on leaders, the instructions Paul gives apply to us all.Personal Holiness (6:11) The calling to serve God is a calling to a position of special honor. Paul designates Timothy (and equally all faithful ministers) as man of God, a title given to Moses (Deut 33:1), David (Neh 12:24), Elijah (1 Kings 17:18) and Elisha (2 Kings 4:7) in the Old Testament. In so doing, he sets the minister apart as one having a special relationship with and an origin in God. The minister is Gods special representative, one whom God has personally chosen and sent. And Gods expectations of those with a high calling are great. There can be no compromise in the Christian leaders lifestyle. Against the backdrop of spiritual defection, Paul makes this clear in the flee . . . pursue command that he issues. This traditional formula of exhortation (2 Tim 2:22) compels the readers to escape from the dangers of sin (in this case, the way of the false teachers in 6:3-5, 9-10--all this) to pursue a righteous life (compare 2 Tim 2:22). The tone is that of an emergency. Both flight and pursuit, however, require not only a conscious decision but also a sustained, lifelong effort; the emergency ends only with the appearance of Christ (6:14). The object of pursuit is a balanced spiritual life. It is described with a list of virtues that throughout these letters stand for marks of genuine faith (4:12; 2 Tim 2:22; 3:10; compare Gal 5:22-23; Phil 4:8). The purpose of this list is to provide poetic impact more than precise description. Nevertheless, the items included give ample direction for the Christian life. The first four terms, righteousness, godliness, faith and love, depict the new life of faith in contrast to the perverse behavior of the false teachers (6:4-5). Righteousness means observable uprightness, a life in accordance with Gods values. Godliness is Pauls term for the whole of the Christian experience, the vertical posture of faith and its horizontal, visible outworking in life (see notes on 2:2). It appears in this list (it is not in the others) because the heretics false notions about it were mentioned in 6:5. Faith and love (see 4:12; notes on 2:15) depict these two dimensions of genuine Christianity, a balance of personal faith and correct doctrine and works done in the power of the Spirit. The final two items anticipate the charge to ministry (v. 12). Endurance is the wont quit determination of Gods servants in the face of opposition to the gospel (2 Tim 3:10; compare 2:10, 12). Gentleness is an attitude of patient, gentle composure that encourages the repentance of the unbeliever and the apostate (2 Tim 2:25; Tit 3:2). The six virtues together describe the lifestyle of balanced spirituality that ought to characterize the Christian. A Christian leader must be a model of these things. A holistic portrait, it encompasses ones walk with God and disposition toward unbelievers. Are these standards impossibly high? If we think in terms of human effort, yes; but with the high calling to ministry also go vast resources for godly living.Timothy, Fight the Good Fight (6:12-15) The servant of God must also fulfill the calling of ministry. The charge issued in 1:18 is repeated here. Paul has changed the metaphor, however, from ministry in terms of a military struggle to ministry in terms of an athletic contest (see also 2 Tim 4:7). Thus the need for perseverance, sustained effort and training dominate in this charge (compare 1 Cor 9:24-27; 2 Tim 2:5). Like a skillful coach, Paul supplies ample motivation for maintaining the struggle. 1. Eternal reward (6:12). Especially for the minister, to finish the race is no mere option. The command tone (take hold) reminds us of the real element of human responsibility in the salvation process, as it also implies the real possibility of success. Though the cost is great, the Christian leader can arrive at the goal of personal salvation, eternal life. But while the athletic imagery emphasizes the human side, it is the prior action of calling that establishes the believers future success. In the passive, the verb refers clearly to Gods call to eternal life. Yet as we have just seen, divine sovereignty does not preclude human responsibility. Timothy had an obligation to participate in his salvation. We too must view faithful Christian living and service, in whatever context God places us, as our necessary responsibility to God. 2. Past promises (6:12). The Greek sentence continues without a break, and attention shifts to Timothys past commitment to God. It may be (as the NIV interprets it) that the phrase good confession in the presence of many witnesses relates directly to Gods calling (to eternal life), indicating the time when realization of this occurred. In this case, the event in mind would probably be Timothys baptism. However, the phrase may be linked more directly to the parallel commands to fight and to take hold, making the event grounds for obedience to those ministerial commands. In this case, the allusion would be to a commissioning ceremony of some sort. The two ceremonies would have been similar in tone, each including a confession of faith, a charge and a vow of commitment. To judge from the ministry context here and probable allusions to the event elsewhere (1:18; 4:14), Paul may have had in mind Timothys commissioning (similar to the more modern ordination). Then his reasoning is that the two commands of verse 12 are in keeping with the promises of Gods selection of one for ministry. The ceremony that bound the congregation to acknowledge the authority of the new minister also bound the minister to faithful service. Today the binding force of ones word is often questioned, but before God that is not so. The ministers pledge to serve must not be taken lightly. But it takes discipline as well as forceful reminders from coworkers or from Gods Spirit to bring us back to first promises that bind. Yet what the servant must recall are not only human commitments to God but also Gods commitments to his servants. 3. Present promises (6:13). This comes more clearly into view as Paul reminds Timothy of his present situation. Christian service is not something God initiates, like the christening of a ship, then leaves to run its own course. It begins with Gods choice and continues in his presence and fellowship. So when Paul repeats the solemn charge, which begins in verse 13 and ends in verse 14, he emphasizes Timothys continuing fellowship with God and Christ. In this fellowship, too, obligation and promise are combined. To be in the sight of God (5:21; 2 Tim 4:1) is cause for reverent fear. The Hebrews were terrified of Gods presence, which, as Moses explained, was to keep them from sinning (Ex 20:20). But Gods presence meant for them also his faithful care--guidance, food, clothing (Deut 8:1-5). And the description of God as life-giver means the same for Pauls readers. Gods constant presence should spur the Christian on to excellent service. Equally, this truth provides encouragement and strength, for the ever-present God is the one who gives and sustains life. At the same time Timothy is reminded of his fellowship with Christ. He is our ever-present Lord (compare Mt 28:20). This comforting promise of continual fellowship, however, ought to compel us to the heights of faithfulness, for our Lord is also our judge (2 Tim 4:8; Rev 3:15-16). Christian leaders in difficult situations have always found encouragement in Christs experience. In fact, God has called us to participate in the very ministry Christ initiated. He made the good confession first, before Pontius Pilate. Pauls allusion is difficult to ascertain. Probably the reference is to Jesus trial and to the supreme testimony he gave in his death. He authenticated his calling and commitment to serve God before the representative of this world, despite great danger and temptations to denial (see Jn 18:28-37). The one called to serve God makes a confession and commitment to continue Christs own mission at any personal cost. Christs commitment to his servants is continual fellowship. 4. Future promises (6:14). It is equally important for Timothy to concentrate on the promise of Christs return, for two reasons. First is the promise of relief. The term Paul chose to describe the Second Coming here (the appearing) pictures the event as a glorious intervention to bring help. In fact, Paul uses the same term to refer to Christs first advent (2 Tim 1:10; Tit 2:11; 3:4); this shows how the present age is to be understood in relation to Christs two appearances--what began with Christ will end with Christ. When Gods appointed time arrives, relief will come to the minister. A Christians earthly duties will cease. Second is a note of urgency. The obligations connected with the call to service (the command, vv. 11-12, to lead an exemplary Christian life) must be kept, the course must be finished in all faithfulness (without spot or blame), for Christ comes to judge (2 Tim 4:1, 8). In light of the certainty of this future event, without spot or blame stresses the need for a life that expresses godliness consistently and in all respects. The early Christians lived as if Christs return would occur during their lifetime. We for the most part do not, and we are the weaker for it. This confident hope of consummation and evaluation can sustain us when days are long, bodies grow weary and results seem few. 5. Sovereign God (6:15-16). Last of all in the charge to Timothy, Paul calls to mind the sovereign and majestic God. A clear vision of the true nature of God is a strong motivation for holy living and service for all Christians. Paul declares that God has ordered all events (v. 15), including the appearance of Christ. But what a God! The Greek makes it clear that Paul has actually inserted a doxology, which celebrates the majesty and mystery of God, to describe the subject of the verb of execution (bring about) in verse 15. The force of Pauls artistry is to close the charge to Gods servant in adoration and worship (compare 1:17). The God whom Christians serve is the blessed and only Ruler. This description comes out of intertestamental Judaism. Gods oneness and sovereignty (Ruler means sovereign), which might suggest transcendence and otherness, are balanced by the blessing he intimately bestows on his people. The phrases King of kings and Lord of lords ascribe to God absolute sovereignty. This powerful combination appears in Revelation 17:14 and 19:16 in reference to Christ. Majesty gives way to mystery in verse 16 as the doxology next declares God to be the only one having immortality (1:17). The meaning is that God is the source of eternal life, that life which is proper to him alone, which he has chosen to bestow on others. His dwelling place is unapproachable light (Ex 24:15-17; 34:29-35; 1 Jn 1:5-7), which speaks symbolically of his absolute holiness. The mystery becomes complete in the reference to his invisibility (1:17). The actual phrase, whom no one has seen or can see, recalls Gods response to Moses, who in preparation for leading Gods people requested to see God: no one may see me and live (Ex 33:20). Still, enough was shown to Moses to carry him through in confidence. Finally, the doxology closes in praise, ascribing honor and might forever to the sovereign God (Rev 5:13). In the end, Gods servants must set their concentration upon the invincible God. Turning the thought to praise, Paul reminds his readers that Christian life and ministry together form the appropriate response to the blessing of God.
Posted on: Wed, 06 Nov 2013 07:53:04 +0000
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