Devotion • September 6
Today’s Scripture Reading
1 Timothy 4:7b–16
Have nothing to do with profane myths and old wives’ tales. Train yourself in godliness, for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. These are the things you must insist on and teach. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers. (NRSV)
Reflection
One of the first things to say about many of the imperatives in the New Testament is that they should be heard as addressing groups, not individuals. We read “you” and “yourself” as individuals, but the New Testament (particularly the New Testament epistles) were written to congregations, that is to “yous” (plural).
But not this epistle.
This is actually a case where “you” actually means “you” (singular). The first and second letters of Paul to Timothy are written specifically to and for a young Christian and associate of the apostle, one charged and invested with significant leadership responsibility (you can read stories involving Timothy in Acts, beginning in chapter 16.)
Benjamin Fiore summarizes Timothy’s commission as involving (1) the establishment of proper relationships among congregants in Ephesus, (2) supervising the appointment of officials in those congregations, and (3) defending Paul’s teaching against “harmful deviations.”
Paul has given Timothy this work in the church because of the gifts that are evident in Timothy’s life. Yet gifts are not enough in themselves, and so the young leader is urged to train, to practice, and to progress in these gifts. I can imagine Timothy receiving this letter and being inspired by it to redouble his efforts at prayer and study. I’m imagining a training montage of it.
What’s in your discipleship training montage? You, too, have gifts for the building up of the church. How are you strengthening them? How are you training yourself in godliness?
There’s no piety Olympics that awards medals for prayers or sermons or (even!) devotions. Rather, we’re all in this together, and so our training is not to win awards for ourselves but to strengthen one another. We are, in a sense, saving each other.
If I work to progress in my gifts for your sake, will you do the same for me?
Prayer
God of many gifts, we are your people because you have made us your people; you call us, you save us, and you equip us with gifts to embody your kingdom of welcome and justice. By your Spirit, water the gifts you have planted in us, so that they may grow and flourish to your glory and the world’s benefit. In the name of Jesus Christ, the greatest gift. Amen.
Written by Rocky Supinger, Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry and Worship
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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