1 Timothy 4:11–16 - A Charge to Pastor and People

Acts 20 in the NT recounts the words of Paul to the elders of the Ephesian church. He was about to depart Ephesus on his missionary journey, and among other things, Paul says, “I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.”

Paul preached God’s revealed truth in its entirety. He withheld nothing from God’s Word out of fear that the Ephesians might not like it. He concealed no doctrine and skipped over no teaching out of concern that someone might disagree and walk away.

It would be like a doctor withholding a diagnosis for fear that the patient might be upset. Both duty and genuine concern demand that the doctor tell the whole truth.

With that same conviction, Paul wrote to Timothy the words we just read. Timothy was not an apostle, but he was tasked with proclaiming apostolic doctrine. But often, people don’t want to hear the commands or the statutes of God.

There’s not always an eagerness to be taught and corrected. People need to hear the hard truth, but when they do, sometimes they reject it. But it can be difficult to be the one proclaiming what God’s Word says.

And yet that is a key part of the work of the pastor. People need God’s correction along with His comfort. We all need our consciences confronted by and reconditioned with His truth. God has appointed the preaching and teaching of His Word as a means of His grace, and these verses today contain a message for both the pastor and the people.

Paul guides the actions of not only the pastor, but the congregation as well. Both can neglect their calling in the body of Christ, causing what should be front and center to fall by the wayside. But God is gracious. He helps us place sound preaching and teaching where it belongs – not only in the church, but in our hearts and minds.

We desperately need to be soothed and shaped by God’s whole counsel. But what are the marks of sound preaching and teaching in Christ’s church?

Paul shows us that it proclaims the whole counsel of God with the authority and manner of Christ, by the gifting and calling of Christ, and for salvation and sanctification in Christ.

Now at this point in the letter, Paul has given Timothy a long list of instructions: shut down false teachers, use God’s good law lawfully, define sin clearly, teach sound doctrine, proclaim the gospel of Christ, and lead prayer for all kinds of people.

Paul gives Timothy a description for godly behavior in the church, along with qualifications for the men who lead the church and its worship. There’s an explanation for the roles of men and women in the church, plus many, many more details.

And with a nod to all that, Paul writes, “Command and teach these things.” What does he mean? Announce these things as a charge to God’s people, and instruct the church with them. Give them knowledge of the truth. Timothy was to speak humbly but confidently with authority: not authority within himself, but on the basis of Christ and His apostles. He was to command and teach these things as if he was Paul or Peter, and the people were to receive it that way.

Imagine someone asks you to watch their house while they’re away. They tell you to keep an eye on this, don’t forget that, make sure this is done, and if something goes wrong, here’s how to handle it. It’s not your house, but you’ve agreed to care for it as if it were your own. In chapter 3, he calls it “the household of God.” Timothy was entrusted with its care.

But what about when he must command or teach people who are older than him? Notice verse [12] “Let no one despise you for your youth,” or “youthfulness.” At that time, anyone under 40 was considered “youthful.” While we don't know Timothy's exact age, presumably he was in his 30s at the most.

Therefore, an older believer might be more likely to dismiss him. He might be insecure about his perceived youthfulness or lack of life experience. Someone might “despise” him for a command he relayed or instruction he gave. But he must never shrink back.

However, this wasn’t a license to be like a bull in a china shop. He shouldn’t run over people. Notice Paul’s wise advice. He adds, “but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

At a different time, Paul told the Corinthians: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” Christ Jesus is the measuring stick, not the minister. Timothy and the people should imitate Christ, not our adversaries. Our example is our Lord – who lived life perfectly in our place. Our model is our Messiah – who ransomed us with His righteous blood. Our standard is our Savior – who demonstrated God’s love for us, His former enemies.

Obviously, the only way for Timothy to do this was for Christ to be formed in him. The great gospel realities must govern a pastor’s words and deeds. During His earthly life, Jesus Christ handled every conflict with perfection, not first of all as our example but as our substitute. To see Christ as only an example to imitate diminishes His glory.

He earned and imputes the spotless record of moral perfection to those He saves. That gift, framed by His love and care, must soften and reshape the pastor’s heart. Only then can he set a Christ-like example. The pastor’s speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity must be derivative of the Lord’s.

Now see verse [13] Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.” Paul intended to visit Ephesus to preach, teach, and shepherd. In the meantime, Timothy was to do these things. This brings up a point we saw a few weeks ago. A qualified, ordinary minister is not an apostle, but when he faithfully preaches apostolic doctrine, the church truly receives the Word of Christ.

Notice “exhortation” on the list. This word is loaded with meaning. It includes both encouragement and warning. This is preaching. A faithful preacher pleads with human hearts to listen to and obey Christ, to receive and rest in Him, to worship Christ and follow Him.

There are warnings and corrections. God’s people will feel the deep, inward persuasion we call “conviction. You may not like everything you hear, but you should get a great sense of your guilt and an even greater sense of God’s grace.

Do you see the charge to both pastors and people? In turn, the congregation must submit and learn, imitate the Christ-like example, listen and ponder and repent and respond to Christ preached and taught from His Word. Sound preaching and teaching proclaims the whole counsel of God with the authority and manner of Christ. It speaks all that God has said, and it does so in the spirit and character of Jesus.

Now look at verse [14] “Do not neglect the gift you have.” God graciously bestowed on Timothy all that was needed for his pastoral office. Timothy was then called formally to the ministry. “Gift” here seems to be a reference to that call. Dr. Bill Barcley notes that for a pastor, “The call and gifts go hand in hand.”

But to be clear, the source of pastoral gift is God. Notice the next part of the verse, “the gift you have…which was given you by prophecy.” God is the source of what is recognized, affirmed, and pronounced by men – by the elders of the church. This refers to Timothy’s ordination – when he was formally and publicly set apart, see the rest of the verse, “when the council of elders laid their hands on you.”

This isn’t meant to give the impression that the elders transferred any ability or power. Rather, they recognized the ability and power of God. Paul urges Timothy to remember that day, and be encouraged by it. He warns Timothy of being careless about such a gift and call. Even the born-again man, when submitting to his sinful nature, can take it lightly. Before the whole church, Timothy was installed by the elders of the presbytery.

It might help here to picture a man appointed as a military officer. Think of a soldier. A ceremony doesn’t create his strength, or courage, or training, or authority. The men standing there don’t transfer ability to him by placing a pin on his uniform. But the ceremony matters. It is public recognition that this man has been trained, examined, approved, and activated for a particular duty.

And from that day forward, he’s no longer a mere civilian. He’s not free to treat his calling lightly, and he should always remember who appointed him, what has been entrusted to him, and the people whom he is called to serve. Military appointment is no small deal. It is a way of life.

The office of the pastor is similar in many ways. Look at what Paul writes in verse [15], “Practice these things, immerse yourself in them.” The sense here is, “pay careful attention” to the commands and teaching. Take pains to remain faithful and diligent.

“Immerse” is a very good translation. Literally, the Greek here says “Be in them.” You’ve been gifted and called. This is your life now. May it be your duty and delight. The minister should labor in studying, thinking, preaching, teaching, praying, shepherding, serving, and leading, see there, “so that all may see [his] progress.” Timothy was relatively young. He would get better with age. He would grow in every way, and God’s people would grow along with him.

Do you see the charge here to the people? The congregation should deeply value the calling and gifting of the minister. Ephesians 4 says it is a gift to you and your family from Christ Himself. The people should support the pastor’s attentiveness to his calling and gifting. You should receive his ministry as that which Christ has ordained for you.

Again, it must all be wholly derivative of the Lord’s authority and manner, for sound preaching and teaching proclaims the whole counsel of God by the gifting and calling of Christ. There are many pitfalls along the way for the pastor. The apostle Peter wrote, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” When a lion hunts its prey, it sneaks up. The victim may not see the danger until it’s too late. God’s pastor and people must look out for and be thankful for each other.

Now notice this last verse, [16], “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching.” A pastor must pay attention to the state of his whole life – inward and outward. The pastor has a lot to keep up with: his own heart, the execution of his duties, his tone, his private thoughts, his public persona, his marriage, his parenting, and of course, “the teaching.”

The doctrine. His ministry of the Word extends from his own experience of Christ. The doctrine is what the congregation hears and believes. Dr. Barcley points out both the positive and negative sense of this. So, positively, he must present truth. Negatively, he must refute error.

I’ve mentioned that when I had my doctor’s check up earlier this year, it wasn’t as routine as it used to be. I’ve had the same doctor for many years. He’s seen me since I was in my early 30s, and I’ll be 50 next year. And over the past few years – especially this year – he’s increased his guidance for things I need to start doing and things I need to stop doing.

I can even tell that he recognizes that our dialogue has changed some. Why? Well, I’m getting older, and to pursue good health, he has to level with me. Now, ultimately, I decide what I do with the information and guidance he gives me. But he’s the one trained and set apart to tell me these things.

They tested my blood, and he interpreted the results and we went from there. He explained what it all meant. It wouldn’t do me any good to just say, “No, I choose not to believe that. I don’t like that diagnosis. I don’t think that’s true. I can do what feels right to me. I can live how I want to live.” I could do that, but my health and my life are at stake.

A great deal is at stake with the preaching and teaching of God’s whole counsel. Notice the rest of verse 16, “Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” Timothy must continue to watch his own life and the doctrine he teaches – that is Paul’s command.

This doesn’t contradict any of Paul’s other teachings about who saves people. The Holy Spirit applies the saving work of Jesus Christ to the souls of sinners. God raises sinners from deadness in sins to life in Christ in union with Him. But the means is the preaching and teaching of His Word through His ministers.

In no way does this diminish God’s glory, in fact, it enhances His glory – that He could accomplish His good and holy will through foolish sinners saved by grace! Sound preaching and teaching proclaims the whole counsel of God for salvation and sanctification in Christ. That’s what is on the line: people hearing truth, responding with saving faith, and being made more like Christ.

What’s on the line is the faith and character of the church.

What’s on the line is the wholeness and witness of the church.

The preaching and teaching of God’s whole counsel may not be embraced by all, it may not be attractive to all, but it is innocent of the blood of all.

With sound preaching and teaching, the church is healthy and strong.

With sound preaching and teaching, God’s people are a blessing to the nations.

Where there is sound preaching and teaching, the triune God is glorified and honored,
and His people grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ Jesus.

Do you see the charge here to the people of God? To pray for and encourage pastors, to hold them accountable, to persist in hearing, receiving, responding to Christ, and to be saved and further sanctified.

Pastor and people can function according to these ways of God because Christ gave Himself for us and to us. This table is a sign and seal of His great love and sufficient sacrifice. Christ Himself took responsibility for the debt of sin, and He feeds hungry souls with His very self!

By the means He has appointed – Word, sacrament, and prayer – He shapes pastor and people into what we must be. He is our righteousness and our life. Rest in Him today.

Let’s bow in prayer now.