Wrapping It Up

I Timothy 5:21-25

If you think back to all that we have discussed in I Timothy, there has been a lot of ground covered. If we looked at all of it at one time, it could feel overwhelming. Now, Paul is preparing to bring this letter to a close. As he does so, he charges Timothy with how he is to handle all of this.

Though not a word we use very often anymore, I really like that word "charge". The English word means "To entrust someone with a task or responsibility". That is exactly what Paul is communicating to Timothy. I am entrusting the duties and responsibilities of the office of pastor to you. Now, do the work. This is how our passage begins.

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”I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.

No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.

Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.”

I Timothy 5:21-25

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In the charge, Paul tells Timothy that he should not look down on some people (prejudice), or look too highly upon others (partiality). We judge people by their outward appearances and what we assume they are able to contribute. We must remember that God judges the heart (I Samuel 16:7). Verse 22 is very important. "Do not lay hands on anyone hastily" means that we should not ordain people as pastors or deacons without setting them aside and testing them thoroughly. I have seen so many people who have announced that God called them into the ministry, and they are no longer in the ministry. Many people can talk a good game, they will even do a lot of the work, but there are moral flaws in their character that disqualify them from the ministry. Being set aside and seeking God in prayer could prevent some of the embarrassment that has come to churches because men were not tested. When we jump the gun on ordaining someone, their sins reflect on us. Paul says that we are not to partake in these sins. So don't be hasty in ordaining men.

Next, Timothy needs to take care of himself. Paul tells Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach. This is not to calm his nerves. It probably has more to do with a stomach issue he has because of stress. I would be curious to know the percentage of pastors who are on some type of stomach medicine for issues that are exacerbated by stress. I am.

As pastors, we deal with people who are obviously sinners, and some who hide it well. We also deal with people who are obvious in their good works, and others who do good, but it is not seen. We often judge those who are obvious in their sins as evil, those who are obvious in their good works as great saints, and the ones who are not as obvious escape our attention. However, it is the sinner who hides it well that often does the most damage. It also seems that those saints that quietly work without attention, do far more than anyone realizes, until they are gone and no one is doing their work anymore. Timothy is charged to do the work without prejudice or partiality. Sin needs to be corrected no matter who is committing it. Remember, it is "the little foxes that spoil the vines" (Song of Solomon 2:15). We should not show partiality to the church member whose actions are overt, while looking down on the one whose actions are concealed. Let God judge people's hearts. We teach the truth, while convincing, rebuking, and exhorting (II Timothy 4:2). If we do this, we will be good ministers (I Timothy 4:6).

Father, this job is more than we can do on our own. We need Your strength. We need Your wisdom. We need Your Word. Father, we need You. Help us to be faithful ministers of Your Word. May we glorify You in all that we do.