Back to Timothy

The Apostle Paul has just stated in his letter to Timothy that women are not to teach or have authority over men (see my “controversial “ post on my page on Nov 27); but then he goes on to make clear that not just any man should be in a leadership position in the church.

In chapter three, he begins a list of character traits of those worthy of holding such positions.

But before this, he says those who desire these positions, “desire a good work” (1 Tim 3:1).

And it is just that— WORK!

Overseeing God’s flock is an exhausting, hard, target-on-your-back, ripe for criticism, often lonely, often thankless, position.

Paul knew those chosen for these positions must be men of godly character or they would quickly fail.

He then lists observable character traits, and our first inclination might be to stick this list up against those we know in these positions and begin to criticize.

Certainly, some are in leadership positions who should not be and others should not even be considered for these roles if their characters are lacking.

However, as women (as most of you who study with me are) let’s look at this list as traits we should aspire to encourage in our husbands, in our children, and especially in our sons, and in our own lives as applicable.

As the brother of our Lord, James, tells us let’s don’t just be hearers of the Word but doers. (James 1:22)

With that, let’s dig deep into this treasure from Paul.

Here’s those godly traits that make good leaders—

“Blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil”. (1 Tim 3:2-7)

Paul begins with the word, “blameless”. This doesn’t mean the man is without sin (only Jesus is that) but he has a track record of making good choices.

As a wife and a mom, we want to make good biblical choices in our own lives; but also, let’s be intentional to praise our husbands and our children when we see them making good choices.

Let’s endeavor to “catch them” doing good as often as we criticize them when they stumble.

And, in our busy world, sometimes we need to ask the Lord to help us pay attention in order to see these things.

When my kids were little, I asked the Lord to help me catch them in their sin so I could quickly correct it. Let’s also ask Him to help us catch them in their good choices so we can quickly affirm them.

God’s Word is so good. As Paul will tell us in his second letter to Timothy, “All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” (2 Tim 3:16)

Let’s apply it to our own lives and endeavor to teach it to our children.

More tomorrow! Aren’t you ready to dig deep! Thank you for studying with me.

readTimothy

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