Mentorship: Paul to Timothy

1 Timothy 6English Standard Version (ESV)

6 Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants[a] regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. 2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.

False Teachers and True Contentment

Teach and urge these things. 3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound[b] words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and[c]we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Fight the Good Fight of Faith

11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before[d] Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

20 O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” 21 for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.

Grace be with you.[e]

        Another person who would be a part of the church would be servants and slaves. Paul addresses people who are required to be submissive to their masters. The natural tendency of our hearts is to buck authority. Here Paul talks about how serving our opportunity to minister to fellow believers and non-believers. 

      Paul takes the truth of doctrine very seriously. Preaching the truths Christ gave us is important. Not adding or detracting to these truths is important. Not being distracted from these truths is equally important. 

     Lastly Paul addresses the wealthy people within the church. Paul encourages those with riches to be generous and give some very practical advice on how to not get caught up in the allure of riches. 

      Heavenly Father, I ask that You would instill in me a heart that blesses others. Help me to know how to encourage different members of the church. May I take Your truths seriously. Help me to understand and remember them. In Jesus name, Amen. 

Mentorship: 1 Timothy 5

1 Timothy 5English Standard Version (ESV)

Instructions for the Church

5 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

3 Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, 6 but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. 7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband,[a] 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry 12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. 14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. 15 For some have already strayed after Satan. 16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.

17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) 24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

       Here Paul is teaching Timothy how to treat different people who will make up the church. Timothy is a young man and probably appreciated the guidance of how to treat someone who was his elder. Widows will make up a part of the church, how to provide for them in a constructive way is important. The church is a place where needs should be met and charity should abound, that charity should not encourage laziness or not caring for ones own family. Also the widows that can take care of a family and work should be working. This is not Paul being harsh to widows, but is meant to be a means to protect them from sin and to give them a purpose/value. The character of an Elder is discussed before hand, thus it is important their work not be hindered... This means by helping to support them financially and protecting them from false accusations. Lastly Paul encouraged Timothy, in the same vain go thought as not getting caught up in "vain discussion", to not be partial or not get caught up in the emotion. (This doesn't mean Timothy should never participate in laying on hands; however, to do it in an orderly, reverent manner.) This may give Timothy time to see the truth in actions and evaluate good works vs sin. 

      Dear Holy Father, show me how to treat each member of the body of Christ. Help me to honor and value each of them. Create in me a heart that honors and values You. Give me wisdom in discerning conspicuous good works and sin. Help me to honor and value my husband. In Jesus name, Amen.        

Mentorship: 1 Timothy 4

1 Timothy 4English Standard Version (ESV)

Some Will Depart from the Faith

4 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

A Good Servant of Christ Jesus

6 If you put these things before the brothers,[a] you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive,[b] because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,[c] so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Paul has talked about praying for people (especially kings), false teachers and what they look like, qualifications for deacons, qualifications for elders/overseers, Christ coming to save sinners, the mystery of God, and warning some will depart from the faith. Not everyone will pursue truth and Godliness. While that is disappointing, we Christians need to be aware of our own hearts and the hearts of others. We all long to be seen as prestigious people and as smart aka. "teachers of the law". Being aware of how our own hearts can get caught up in "silly myths" and "vain discussions". Paul's solution is to focus on the truth of God and exercise the truths of God in our minds. As a weight lifter works out everyday, I should be working out the truths of God every day and preaching the gospel to my self and others. 

       Dear Father, I thank You for the protection of Your law. I thank You for the promises we can look upon, both fulfilled and unfulfilled. Please use these to preach truth to my heart and the gospel to my heart. Enable me to share the gospel with those around me. In Jesus name, Amen. 

Mentorship: 1 Timothy 3

1 Timothy 3English Standard Version (ESV)

Qualifications for Overseers

3 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Qualifications for Deacons

8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

The Mystery of Godliness

14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

He was manifested in the flesh,
    vindicated by the Spirit,
        seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
    believed on in the world,
        taken up in glory.

Here Paul is going solid advice on the type of people who should be leaders within the church. Many will want the prestige of a position; however, these positions are how people should be serving and examples for the church. Paul mentions that in verse 13 the benefits of being given the responsibility of these positions; therefore there needs to be some selection for these positions. When I am serving Christ intentionally, it makes me feel closer and surer of Him. The same with those serving as deacons. This gave the men and women goals on how to behave. 

Dear Father, I thank You for giving us the greatest example of all, Your son Jesus Christ. I want to be more and more like Him every day. Work in my heart that I will know You and be molded into who You want me to be. May I be respectable wife for my husband and may be both lead each other into righteousness. In Jesus name, Amen.