1Timothy 4:6-10

Paul continues his personal coaching of Timothy and his ministry in this section, following on directly from the passage discussed in the last post.

Verse 6 brings the two passages together seamlessly, telling Timothy that if he points out what Paul has been telling him about the false teachings coming from teachers who have been deceived by “deceiving spirits” and “demons” and teaching instead that all of creation has been made good and for our use with thanksgiving, that he will be doing good work. In the next verse, Paul makes this point clear by telling Timothy to have nothing to do with “godless myths” and “old wives’ tales”.

“Godless myths” is an interesting choice of words, don’t you think? If for no other reason, it is interesting because it is precisely the right term to describe the pagan beliefs held in the past by Gentile believers. Even today we call those beliefs “mythology”; I’m sure I need not explain “old wives’ tales”.

Now we come to the larger point Paul is making: “Train yourself to be godly.”

In verse 8 Paul makes a comparison between physical training and spiritual training. Physical training has some benefit obviously, but training oneself to be godly has an eternal benefit. In the next verse, Paul calls this a “trustworthy saying” that should be accepted fully. Then comes the kicker:

That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. (v. 10)

The whole reason that we strive to teach the truth, to be godly and to live as Christ would live is that we have put our whole faith in Him. If we had not done so, then our strivings would be just as ridiculous as many non-believers say they are. Our hope is not in this life and what it has to offer, but in the One who has saved us from all of this worthless and temporary enjoyment; our eyes are on that which is above.