Some thoughts on 1 & 2 Timothy

One of Paul's aims in writing 1 and 2 Timothy was to counsel young Pastor Timothy on how to handle false teachers troubling the church at Ephesus. It seems Paul had heard that these men were running roughshod over his "true child in the faith." Unlike Paul who never shrank from conflict Timothy may have been of a reticent personality, more prone to avoid conflict than confront it. I can relate. There was also the question of Timothy's youth which Paul addresses directly more than once. "Get a backbone, Timothy!", Paul says in so many words, but he says it always in an encouraging manner. "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Tim. 1:6-7)

Running throughout the subject matter relating specifically to this church's context is Paul's view of the church universal which he often described in architectural terms. Keep in mind he's talking about people not buildings! 1 Tim. 3:15 describes the church as "a pillar and buttress of the truth." Perhaps he had in mind the impressive examples of Greco-Roman architecture he'd seen in Rome and Athens. This is descriptive not prescriptive language. In other words the church doesn't define the truth, but is defined by it. The Word of truth creates the church. Where a particular expression of the church departs from the truth it ceases to be part of the church.

Paul returns to architectural language in 2 Tim. 2:19 to describe the church as "God's firm foundation." Despite the success of the false teachers in leading some astray God will see to it that his foundation stands. In the ancient world it was common for the foundation stone of a building to bear a seal or inscription. So we as "living stones" (1 Peter 2:5) of Christ's church have a seal, and on the seal are two mottos. "The Lord knows those who are his" and "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity." The first quotation is from the Septuagint version of Numbers 16:5.

Numbers 16 tells the story of Korah's rebellion against Moses and Aaron. Do you remember the story? Korah and 250 elders of Israel challenged the authority of Moses. In response Moses challenged them—using the words quoted by Paul "The Lord knows those who are his"—to appear before the tent of meeting the next morning with burning censers of incense. The duel of the censers didn't end well for Korah and his followers. To make a long story short, the ground opened up and swallowed their households, and they themselves were incinerated. Not everyone who names the name of the Lord are truly his. Paul reminds Timothy that the people of God bear the indelible seal of election, which evidences itself in a life of holiness—practical examples of which are sprinkled throughout 1 and 2 Timothy. I especially like 1 Tim. 6:11 and 2 Tim. 2:22!